Cheetahs claw WP in Bloem
07/13/2024 09:52 AM
Hooker Vernon Paulo scored a brace of tries at the death to help the defending Currie Cup champion Cheetahs overpower DHL Western Province in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
With the scoreline 10-10 at half time, the Cheetahs scored four tries in the second 40 minutes in a 37-17 victory at Free State Stadium, following an opening round win over the Pumas at home last week.
The visitors opened the scoring with a well-executed try from inside centre Jean-Luc du Plessis in the third minute. Flyhalf Jurie Matthee added the extras before the Cheetahs restored parity when winger Daniel Kasende latched on to a chip-kick from No 10 Ethan Wentzel.
Matthee and Wentzel exchanged penalties from the kicking tee inside the second quarter, and both sides gave nothing away to head into the break on level terms. However, the Cheetahs were fortunate to survive 10 minutes with loose forward Gideon van der Merwe in the sin-bin.
HIGHLIGHTS: Griquas stun Sharks, Lions lash Pumas
The hosts powered into the lead after the restart courtesy of tries from outside centre Munier Hartzenberg and Man of the Match Jeandre Rudolph and seven points from the boot of Wentzel.
WP flanker CJ Velleman barged over from close range for a converted score as the Capetonians closed the gap with 15 minutes left to play, but fellow replacement Paulo crossed the whitewash before the final whistle to cap off a convincing win for the Cheetahs.
The Cheetahs will regroup for a trip to Pretoria to face the Vodacom Bulls in six days' time. WP, meanwhile, hit the road again in search of their first win of the competition for a round 3 clash with the Griffons in Welkom next Sunday.
Photo: Johan Pretorius/Gallo Images
The post Cheetahs claw WP in Bloem appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
