The Cheetahs went down 35-31 in what was truly a game of two halves, but their spirited comeback from 28-5 down at half-time at Loftus Versfeld was enough to see them through. They only needed a single log point to stay alive, but they managed to do even better by finishing within seven points of the Bulls. 

They earned a second bonus point that lifted them to third on the log, after at one stage looking dead and buried. 

The Bulls struck early, with captain Marcell Coetzee dotting down from a maul in just the third minute.  By the 10th minute, they were 14-0 up after Cheswill Jooste crossed in the corner.

Jandré Nel. Photo: Morgan Piek

The Cheetahs hit back six minutes later when centres Marco Jansen van Vuren and Carel-Jan Coetzee combined to pile pressure on the Bulls, with Coetzee eventually scoring a scrappy but valuable try. But the hosts kept the scoreboard ticking over, with flanker Mpilo Gumede and utility back David Kriel both crossing before the break to give the Bulls a commanding 28-5 lead.

Jooste then scored his second try less than two minutes into the second half, and at 35-5 the match looked done and dusted. The Cheetahs, though, still had the incentive of chasing a bonus point – and a touch of pride.

The momentum shifted dramatically in the 50th minute when Coetzee was shown a red card for a high tackle on Cheetahs flyhalf Franco Smith Jr, who had to be stretchered off the field. With the Bulls reduced to 14 men, the Cheetahs sniffed an opportunity.

Carel-Jan Coetzee. Photo: Morgan Piek

Even so, with just 20 minutes left, they were still trailing by 30 points. Then came the spark: scrumhalf Jandré Nel sniped over for a try. Soon after, Prince Nkabinde lit up Loftus with a blistering run from halfway to score under the posts.

Replacement hooker Vernon Paulo then powered over from a lineout maul to secure the crucial bonus-point try that guaranteed the Cheetahs a semi-final berth. From there, they went all out for the win.

Nel was stopped just short after a break set up by Michael Annies, but Pierre Uys was on hand to take the offload and dive over with a minute left on the clock. Unfortunately, the comeback came just too late. 

The Cheetahs ran out of time to grab the win that would have secured them a home semi-final.

Cheetahs coach, Frans Steyn, told OFM Sport that there were nerves, but they are ultimately delighted to be back in the semi-finals.

“I think we were a bit nervous at the start. But once we stuck to the plan, loosened things up, and kept the ball in play more, the players started to come alive. The breakdowns improved and our decision-making got better too,” said Steyn.

“It’s definitely something we’ll have to work on this weekend if we want to win in Kimberley. We need to start better, because two weeks ago we saw what happens when you don’t come out strong – especially against Griquas.

“There’s still a lot of work to be done, but we’re looking forward to the match this weekend. We’re also very happy that we managed to qualify for the semi-final.”

They will now travel to Kimberley to face the Suzuki Griquas, who were thumped 37-7 by the Lions in Johannesburg. That result denied the Griquas top spot, but they still finished second overall.

The Lions will host the Boland Cavaliers at Ellis Park in the other semi-final. SA Rugby is yet to confirm the dates and kick-off times.

Scorers:

Bulls: Tries – Marcell Coetzee, Cheswill Jooste 2, Mpilo Gumede, David Kriel Conv. - Keagan Johannes 5

Cheetahs: Tries – Carel-Jan Coetzee, Jandré Nel, Prince Nkabinde, Pierre Uys, Vernon Paulo Conv. - Cohen Jasper 3

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg