Scrappy but vital win for Cheetahs

01/12/2025 10:13 AM

MATCH REPORT: The Cheetahs recorded a memorable win in Amsterdam over Zebre Parma by 22-18 on Sunday.

It was a vital win but it was a hard-fought victory in their Challenge Cup campaign.

Zebre Parma scored their first points 90 seconds into the game with a successful penalty kick.

And one minute later it was Michael Annies as he showed individual brilliance to chip ahead, gather, and score. Ethan Wentzel split the sticks for the Cheetahs to take the early lead.

Zebre got their first try after a wild pass by Wentzel was intercepted and flung wide to winger Simone Gesi who scored in the corner.

After 25 minutes it was Zebre 8, Cheetahs 7.

Another shot at a penalty kick for the home side was sent through the sticks and they took the lead again 10-8.

As the sides were taking turns with penalty kicks, Zebre again edged into the lead by 11-10.

Just before half-time the naughty boy Jeandre Rudolph finished a move started by Wentzel with a chip and gather. He had the No. 8 on his shoulder and sent him away to dot down.

Wenzel converted and the men in orange were ahead again by 17-11 at half-time.

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Five minutes into the second half Zebre got the start they wanted as they worked from the lineout to a driving maul and straight over the tryline.

Dominguez slotted the penalty and the Italians took back the lead by one point.

The Cheetahs were their own worst enemy as they struggled in the line-outs while their handling also let them down.

This resulted in Zebre being back in the Cheetahs 22 minutes after their previous visit.

*To recap all the action: CLICK HERE!!!

The home side finally worked their way up-field after a 50-metre run by Munier Hartzenburg. The forwards rumbled on, but eventually, as they got over the line, they were held up.

Just went it looked like it was all over the che Cheetahs, in the end, it was the numbers game as Cohen Jasper used his speed to get over in the corner.

The Cheetahs travel to Lyon next weekend.

Man of the Match: Jeandre Rudolph was lucky to walk away with the reward. He can be a blessing and a curse as he conceded a few penalties but in the same breath, he is one of the hardest workers in the team.

Scorers:

For Cheetahs:
Tries: Annies, Rudolph, Jasper
Cons: Wentzel 2
Pens: Wentzel

For Zebre:
Tries: Gesi, Di Bartolomeo
Cons: Dominguez
Pens: Dominguez 2

Teams

Cheetahs: 15 Micheal Annies, 14 Munier Hartzenberg, 13 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Prince Nkabinde, 10 Ethan Wentzel, 9 Ruben de Haas, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Friedle Olivier, 6 Daniel Maartens, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Pieter Janse van Vuuren, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Louis van der Westhuizen, 1 Hencus van Wyk
Replacements: 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Corné Fourie, 18 Laurence Victor, 19 Pierre-Raymond Uys, 20 Sisonke Vumazonke, 21 Litha Nkula, 22 Jandre Nel, 23 Cohen Jasper

Zebre: 15 Giacomo da Re, 14 Jacopo Trulla, 13 Luca Morisi, 12 Fetuli Paea, 11 Simone Gesi, 10 Giovanni Montemauri, 9 Thomas Dominguez, 8 Giovanni Licata, 7 Samuele Locatelli, 6 Giacomo Ferrari, 5 Leonardo Krumov, 4 Matteo Canali, 3 Muhamed Hasa, 2 Tommaso di Bartolomeo, 1 Danilo Fischetti (captain)
Replacements: 16 Luca Bigi, 17 Luca Rizzoli, 18 Juan Pitinari, 19 Rusiate Nasove, 20 Bautista Stavile Bravin, 21 Ratko Jelic, 22 Damiano Mazza, 23 Scott Gregory

Referee: Peter Martin (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Stuart Gaffkin (Ireland), Johnny Erskine (Ireland)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (Ireland)