Wingers Cohen Jasper, and Michael Annies each grabbed a brace of tries as the Cheetahs produced one of their most dominant derby displays in recent years. The Free State clash, which has so often gone down to the wire, was a one-sided affair this time around – a statement win that will do wonders for the visitors’ confidence.

The Griffons started brightly and asked early questions, opening the scoring through a Keegan Schaefer penalty. But that would be as good as it got for the hosts.

Daniel Maartens opened the scoring for the Cheetahs. Photo: Morgan Piek

The Cheetahs hit back soon after, with energetic flanker Daniel Maartens marking his return from concussion with a converted try. Jasper then finished neatly in the corner to hand the visitors control of proceedings.

Just before the break, loosehead prop Tielman Nieuwoudt powered over to stretch the lead to 19–3 at half-time.

The Griffons showed a brief spark after the restart when inside centre Jandré de Beer crossed the line, but their try owed more to Cheetahs errors than sustained pressure. From there, it was all one-way traffic.

Annies struck almost against the run of play to edge the Cheetahs closer to the bonus point, and that moment proved to be the turning point as the visitors shifted through the gears.

Jasper added his second after winning the race to a clever Clayton Blommetjies chip, and by then the result was beyond doubt.

Late tries by replacement hooker Juan Smal and Marco Janse van Vuren blew the score wide open, before Annies sliced through the defence for a superb 60-metre effort on the stroke of full-time to drive the final nail into the coffin.

Cohen Jasper has now scored five tries in his last two games. Photo: Morgan Piek

Cheetahs captain Neels Volschenk said the result was a big lift, but admitted there is still plenty to work on. “I’m not sure when last we came here and won by that kind of margin, so it’s a good one to get off our backs.

“There’s still plenty we can improve on, especially our discipline early on – we put ourselves under unnecessary pressure – but I’m really pleased with how we stuck it out for one another. 

“There were times when the Griffons were in our 22, and we had to dig deep, and we did that, which shows the character in the side. Our discipline improved nicely in the second half, which is encouraging.”

Jandré de Beer putting in a big hit on Tielman Nieuwoudt. Photo: Morgan Piek

“Our set piece is something we’ll definitely look at this week because it’s a key area for us. It was also good to see us move the ball more – the forwards gave us quality possession, and the backs made the most of it.

“There’s still work to do at the breakdown, but our handling and willingness to play created momentum.”

Elsewhere, in Wellington, the Suzuki Griquas beat the Boland Cavaliers 24–14 – a result that could prove significant for the Cheetahs as the competition heads towards the business end.

Cheetahs lock Curtly Thomas was excellent in his first game against his former team. Photo: Morgan Piek

Next up, the Cheetahs face a tough away trip to George, where they will take on the in-form SWD Eagles at Outeniqua Park.

Scorers:

Griffons: Try – Jandré de Beer Conv. – Dehovine Johannes Pen. – Keegan Schaefer

Cheetahs: Tries – Daniel Maartens, Cohen Jasper 2, Tielman Nieuwoudt, Michael Annies 2, Juan Smal, Marco Janse van Vuren, Penalty Try Conv. – Jaco van der Walt 4, Clayton Blommetjies

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg