The Cheetahs claimed a hard-fought victory over the Lusitanos on Thursday, while the Pumas hammered the Iberians.
The Cheetahs and Lusitanos were locked at 21-21 at half-time of the Toyota Challenge match in Tbilisi before the Free Staters pulled clear late to win 38-26.
The Portuguese side made the brighter start and led 14-7 for much of the first half, with flyhalf Hugo Aubry influential.
The Cheetahs were reduced to 14 men when lock Juan Venter was yellow-carded, but crucially prevented the Lusitanos from adding to their tally during his absence.
A frantic final five minutes of the half produced three tries, including one from Cheetahs captain Louis van der Westhuizen off a driving maul to level the scores at the break.
With the wind behind them in the second half, the Cheetahs began to take control.
Scrumhalf Jandré Nel crossed to put them ahead for the first time, only for replacement wing Jordan Bacon to respond for the Lusitanos and make it 26-26.
The Cheetahs then turned to their maul again, creating the platform for wing Litha Nkula to score in the 68th minute.
Replacement scrumhalf Erich Visser added a late try to seal the win.
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In Thursday’s earlier match, the Pumas recorded an emphatic 64-21 victory over Spain’s Iberians having led 40-14 at half-time.
Left wing Tino Swanepoel was the star of the show, crossing five times as the Lowvelders ran in 10 tries.
CHEETAHS – Tries: Sasko Ndlovu, Tiaan Swanepoel, Louis van der Westhuizen, Jandré Nel, Litha Nkula, Erich Visser. Conversions: Swanepoel (3), Ntokozo Makhaza.
LUSITANOS – Tries: José Monteiro, Hugo Aubry, Maximilien Coutts, Jordan Bacon. Conversions: Aubry (3).
PUMAS – Tries: Clinton Swart, Tino Swanepoel (5), Wian van Niekerk, Gustav du Rand, Alfondso Isaacs, André Fouché. Conversions: Swart (5), Bradley Giddy (2).
IBERIANS – Tries: Estanislao Bay, Martiniano Cian, Nico Infer. Conversions: Bautista Guemes (3).
Photo: @CheetahsRugby/X
The post Cheetahs, Pumas power to Tbilisi wins appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The Cheetahs claimed a hard-fought victory over the Lusitanos on Thursday, while the Pumas hammered the Iberians.
The post Cheetahs, Pumas power to Tbilisi wins appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
