Munier Hartzenberg scored four tries as the Cheetahs raced to an eight-try victory against Griffons in Welkom on Sunday.
The Cheetahs flyer scored his hat-trick in the first half as the visitors ran rampant to jog off with a 40-6 lead at the break. A fourth try from Hartzenberg after the break, alongside replacement back Cohen Jasper’s try, secured a resounding 52-12 victory for the men from Bloemfontein.
A yellow card to Griffons lock Michael Benadie in the seventh minute rang the dinner bell as the Cheetahs struck through hooker Marko Janse van Rensburg.
Piling on the pain throughout the remainder of the first half, Hartzenberg grabbed a hat-trick alongside tries from flanker Friedle Olivier and captain Victor Sekekete, to establish an impressive half-time advantage.
One highlight from the Griffons’ opening half came courtesy of inside centre Marquit September, who put a hefty hit on Frans Steyn.
Frans Steyn, meet Marquit September ?
Inside centre ? inside centre!
The Griffons player bringing that 'Sepmagic' ?#CurrieCup pic.twitter.com/pW2somya0V
— SuperSport ? (@SuperSportTV) March 19, 2023
As was the case in the opening half, the only Griffons’ points came off the boot of scrumhalf Jaywinn Juries in the second 40, with the hosts set on keeping the scoreboard ticking instead of kicking for touch.
But the tactic failed to have the desired effect as the Cheetahs ran in two more tries. Hartzenberg scored his fourth at the end of the third quarter before Jasper dotted down to wrap up the festival of tries.
Griffons threw everything at it in the closing minutes, but the Cheetahs held firm and replacement scrumhalf Rewan Kruger eventually cleared the ball into touch to end a disappointing afternoon for Griffons.