The Cheetahs left it late, producing a blitz of three tries to seal the win in the second and final match of the series. The series ended in a share of the spoils after Black Lion claimed a nail-biting 39–38 win in the first match.

Winger Prince Nkabinde scored a brace for the home side, while Michael Annies and Marko Janse van Rensburg also dotted down. The Black Lion try was scored by the seasoned, grey-bearded hooker Shalva Mamukashvili, who came on as a replacement in the second half.

Michael Annies flying over for a try in front of fanatic learners from Bloemfontein Primary School. Photo: Morgan Piek

At the first water break on the 20-minute mark, the match was still deadlocked at 0–0, but shortly after, Nkabinde pounced on a loose ball to open the scoring, while winger Ntokozo Makhaza added the extra two with the conversion.

The match went into the half-time break with the Cheetahs holding a 7–0 lead.

The second half was a bruising contest between two determined sides, and tempers started to flare after a scuffle broke out between the forwards. Referee Hanru van Rooyen opted for a team warning instead of yellow cards.

In the 55th minute, the visitors from Georgia finally got on the board when Mamukashvili powered over from a maul to narrow the gap, but the conversion attempt by fullback Luka Takaishvili missed its mark.

The Cheetahs regained their seven-point lead in a moment that swung the game in favour of the hosts when Michael Annies cracked on the afterburners to fly over in the corner in front of excited schoolchildren enjoying a day out at the rugby.

Shortly after, replacement hooker Janse van Rensburg dotted down in the other corner following a powerful maul by the Cheetahs to take a 12-point lead.

The veteran Georgian international hooker Shalva Mamukashvili scored Black Lion's only try. Photo: Morgan Piek

Nkabinde then sealed the deal with minutes to spare when he flew over for his second try, which was simply majestic by the powerful outside back. Clayton Blommetjies had no trouble adding the extra two points.

Cheetahs coach Frans Steyn told OFM Sport his players deserve all the credit.

“It’s all credit to the players. I think you could see what that meant to them today, especially on defence,” said Steyn.

Michael Annies learning that it would be another brutal and physical contest. Photo: Morgan Piek 

“I’m very happy, and I’m happy for them.

“This one is totally their thing – it was good that they stuck in there, and eventually we got some gaps and whatever. I also thought the Georgians were much better this week as well.

“Look, I think they’ve got a proper team and I think they’re going to do well in the EPCR. They’re a proper side.”

Captain Chucky van der Westhuizen, in turn, told OFM Sport that while they are far from being the finished product, it was a constructive exercise facing Black Lion, which will stand them in good stead for the upcoming EPCR Challenge Cup.

Franco Smith Jr. Photo: Morgan Piek

“Like we all know the Georgians, from whenever they started professional rugby, they’re a scrumming team. They told us at the function they’re a scrumming team because they don’t like running,” said Van der Westhuizen.

“So obviously you know what you’re going to get – good maul stops, strong mauls to defend, good scrums – and that’s good for us as well because that’s the same standard we’ll face overseas in the EPCR.

“So, for us, it was good prep. I think a lot of youngsters got a chance or an opportunity in this competition in the front row now. I think it’s good for us, good to get tested at this level and not just at Currie Cup level.”

The Bulls Legends beat the Cheetahs Legends 25-22 in the curtain-raiser. Photo:- Morgan Piek

Meanwhile, in Sunday’s curtain-raiser between the Cheetahs Legends and Bulls Legends, it was the visitors from Pretoria who reigned supreme with a 25–22 victory after an hour of good entertainment on the field in the searing Bloemfontein heat.

The Cheetahs’ next official game is on 7 December when they face the Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park in England in their opening match of the EPCR Challenge Cup. Before that, they will travel to Johannesburg to tackle the Lions at Ellis Park in a warm-up game.

Scorers:

Cheetahs: Tries – Prince Nkabinde 2, Michael Annies, Marko Janse van Rensburg Conv. – Ntokozo Makhaza, Clayton Blommetjies

Black Lion: Try - Shalva Mamukashvili

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cvs