The Toyota Cheetahs made it two-from-two in the SA Cup on Saturday with a convincing 76-5 win against the Leopards in Potchefstroom.

The Currie Cup champions scored 12 tries at Olën Park in what was their last match before they tackle Clermont in France in the round of 16 of the EPCR Challenge Cup.

The Cheetahs first half in particular was pleasing for the coaches as they racked up a very healthy 52-0 lead at half time, but in the second stanza a few discipline issues crept into their game again.

Five of the Cheetahs players managed to score a brace of tries. Munier Hartzenberg, who was playing at outside centre crossed the whitewash on two occasions, while the Springbok winner, S'bu Nkosi as well as Andia Ntsila, Gideon van der Merwe and Oupa Mohoje managed to score twice. The Cheetahs other two tries were scored by the hooker, Marnus van der Merwe and the winger, Siba Xamlashe.

The two Van der Merwe's, as well as Nkosi and Xamlashe each scored a week prior as well during the 38-7 win against the Boland Cavaliers in Bloemfontein.

“It was a good game for us in the first half as we managed to go up by 50 points in the first stanza,” said Van der Westhuizen.

“Everything we wanted to work on and get right in the game worked in the first half, so we were very happy with that.

“It always difficult in a game like this to keep the momentum and the motivation going, and I think a couple of discipline issues also crept in the second half again. It just shows the importance of maintaining discipline.

“It put us back a little bit, but the moment we reverted back to how we wanted to play we started getting results again.

“It was a good win for us, but there are still things we need to improve on this week, especially our kicking game. Our kicking game will be of massive importance against Clermont on Saturday.”

The Cheetahs are sweating over the fitness of their in-form and Scarlets-bound hooker, Marnus van der Merwe. The man who was invited to the Springbok alignment camp earlier in the year left the field with a calf issue and they will have more clarity on the extent of the injury on Monday.

The Cheetahs will depart for France on Tuesday for their big knockout game, while the so-called second-stringers and fringe players will stay behind to face the Pumas on Friday night in Bloemfontein during the third round of the SA Cup.

Scorers:

Leopards: Try - Cohen Wortley

Cheetahs: Tries - Munier Hartzenberg (2), S'bu Nkosi 2, Andisa Ntsila (2), Gideon van der Merwe (2), Oupa Mohoje (2), Marnus van der Merwe, Siba Xamlashe Conv. - Reinhardt Fortuin (6), Andell Loubser (2)

Morgan Piek OFM Sport