The Cheetahs subdued the Pumas in Nelspruit on Saturday night to guarantee a top-two finish in the Currie Cup and secure a home semi-final.
The Free State contenders bounced back to winning ways, scoring four tries to streak to a 29-14 victory against the defending champions who have now lost four on the trot.
It was maul madness in the first half as Pumas hooker Corne Fourie opened the scoring off the back of a rolling maul, before the Cheetahs struck back with flanker Gideon van der Merwe crashing over from a lineout drive.
17’| TRY TIME ?
It’s a try from Gideon vd Merwe for the Cheetahs!
Airlink Pumas 7-5 Toyota Cheetahs#CurrieCup#PUMvCHE@ToyotaSA pic.twitter.com/dAVlnMPMzW
— Toyota Cheetahs (@CheetahsRugby) June 3, 2023
A sneaky lineout move finished by scrumhalf Rewan Kruger got the Cheetahs in the lead for the first time, before hooker Marnus van der Merwe converted another maul to secure a 19-7 lead for the visitors heading into the break.
An inspired Pumas effort was met with valiant Cheetahs defence, highlighted in the third quarter when the visitors repelled intense waves of attack, and their efforts were rewarded when Ruan Pienaar slotted a long-range penalty.
On a team warning, the Cheetahs were in trouble early in the final quarter when winger Cohen Jasper received a yellow card for playing the ball on the ground and a penalty try was awarded to the Pumas. But the visitors stood strong, despite playing with 14 men, and sent replacement No 8 George Cronje across the line to seal the victory.
The result pushed the Cheetahs to the top of the Currie Cup table, pending the result of the clash between the Sharks and Lions to bring the curtain down on round 13.
Photo: Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images