After their loss to the Lions last week and previously losing to the Sharks in round 7 of the Currie Cup, the Cheetahs were desperate to return to winning ways, but alas, the home side conquered this week.

Conditions in Durban on Friday evening were wet and slippery and the main focus for both sides was to steer away from throwing the ball around. For the Cheetahs, perfectly executing their kicking game as well as the set piece was important.

The Sharks opened to scoring and stayed ahead for the whole game. Flyhalf, Lionel Cronje secured a penalty goal in the 7th minute and thereafter Aphelele Fassi touched down to ensure a 10-0 lead within the first 15 minutes of the game.

For the Cheetahs, the first half saw Sibabalo Qoma sent to the sin bin but the side didn’t let it disadvantage them as shortly after, Ruan Pienaar secured a penalty for the visitors taking the score to 10-3.

Both sides fought hard heading into halftime but the Sharks fight increased their lead over the visitors to 21-10. 

The second half saw another strong fight on both ends, starting with Ruan Pienaar aiming to close the gap 2 minutes in with another penalty goal. The Sharks retaliated with another try from scrum half Tiaan Fourie taking the score to 28-13 early in. 

It was replacement Dameon Venter’s try that gave the Sharks the needed bonus point win.

The Cheetahs remain at the top of the log purely on points difference as the Sharks’ bonus point win places them in second on an equal 38 points. 

Scorers:

Sharks:

Tries - 4 Aphelele Fassi, Alwayno Visagie, Tiaan Fourie, Dameon Venter

Conversions 3 Lionel Cronje

Penalties 3 Lionel Cronje

Cheetahs:

Tries - 2 Siba Qoma, Daniel Maartens

 Conversions - 2 Ruan Pienaar, Siya Masuku

Penalties 3 Ruan Pienaar

Kayla Barker/OFM Sport