Ruan Pienaar kicked 18 points to help the Cheetahs open the 2023-24 European Challenge Cup with a comprehensive victory over Zebre in Parma on Saturday.
The 39-year-old veteran scrumhalf was named Man of the Match for a clinical kicking performance that included four penalties and three conversions in boosting the Free Staters to a 33-15 victory.
Scores remained locked at a penalty apiece on the 30-minute mark, before Pienaar added another penalty and just one minute later put up a well-placed box kick that led to a Zebre error and Cheetahs winger Cohen Jasper pouncing on the try-scoring opportunity. Pienaar added the conversion and then couldn’t stifle a grin after slotting a wide-angle penalty on the stroke of half time to give the tourists a 16-3 lead.
🐆 Cohen Jasper pounces on a loose ball and races away to score, evading three tackles in the process!@CheetahsRugby lead Zebre Parma at the break. Watch all the action live on https://t.co/cI5BzWKcGS, @SuperSportTV and @FloRugby 📺#ChallengeCupRugby
— EPCR Challenge Cup (@ChallengeCup_) December 9, 2023
It did not take the Cheetahs long to add to their advantage after the break, with centre Reinhardt Fortuin crossing for a try just three minutes into the second half, converted by Pienaar.
Unbelievable feet from Tapiwa Mafura and Reinhardt Fortuin is there to finish the move for @CheetahsRugby 🐆#ChallengeCupRugby pic.twitter.com/4FAqC3ufH3
— EPCR Challenge Cup (@ChallengeCup_) December 9, 2023
Two tries from the home side in the final three minutes of play did little to detract from a comfortable victory for the Cheetahs, guided by Pienaar’s tactical nous and pinpoint boot.
Full Time:
🏆EPCR Challenge CupZebre Parma 15-33 Toyota Cheetahs#ZEBvCHE#EPCRChallengeCup@ToyotaSA pic.twitter.com/dYEipWPSmk
— Toyota Cheetahs (@CheetahsRugby) December 9, 2023
Photo: Fred Porcu/INPHO/Shutterstock/BackpagePix
