The Cheetahs braved inclement weather in Bloemfontein for a bonus-point win against the Griffons to claim pole position in the Currie Cup on Friday night.
The 7:05pm kickoff at Free State Stadium between the local rivals was delayed by almost two-and-a-half hours due to stormy conditions, including lightning, in the region.
MORE: Kolisi goes under the knife
The Griffons opened the scoring with a Robbie Petzer penalty in the 18th minute, before Cheetahs fullback Tapiwa Mafura twice crossed the whitewash as the hosts surged into a three-try 21-3 half-time lead.
Tapiwa Mafura flying over for the Toyota Cheetahs.@TheCurrieCup @ToyotaSA pic.twitter.com/aq55pRL18a
— Toyota Cheetahs (@CheetahsRugby) April 28, 2023
Flanker Daniel Maartens and replacement Evardi Boshoff dotted down either side of a converted Griffons touchdown in the second half to help the Cheetahs clinch a 33-10 victory and go top of the log, after the defending champion Pumas’ defeat to the Lions.
Oupa Mohoje!! What a LEGEND!@OupsMo@ToyotaSA pic.twitter.com/qk5D7tZyxp
— Toyota Cheetahs (@CheetahsRugby) April 28, 2023
Photo: @CheetahsRugby/Twitter