Michael Annies scored a brace as the Cheetahs capitalised on the Boland Cavaliers’ second-half ill-discipline for a bonus-point win in round six of the Currie Cup on Sunday.
The Cheetahs ran out at Free State Stadium in second spot on the standings, and the Cavaliers in fourth, with one round left until the playoffs.
Frans Steyn’s men trailed 10-7 at half-time, but four tries and the boot of flyhalf Tiaan Swanepoel in the second 40 minutes, during which the visitors saw yellow four times, cemented a 33-24 victory and their spot on the log.
The Cavaliers left Bloemfontein without a point and the fifth-placed Stormers XXIII breathing down their necks going into next week’s final league action of the competition in 2026.
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The Free Staters will now tackle the 2022 champions Pumas at Mbombela Stadium next Friday, while Boland host title-holders Griquas – who booked a home semi-final with a big win in Nelspruit this past Friday – in seven days’ time.
On Sunday afternoon, Boland hooker Joshua Eras was held up over the line in the sixth minute as the visitors’ early maul momentum stalled.
Scrumhalf Faf de Klerk soon launched a bold break from deep, testing Boland’s defence. At 15 minutes, Boland No 9 Godlen Masimla darted forward from a scrum, but the attack broke down and the hosts earned a penalty through Ramon Uys’ breakdown work.
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Hooker Juan Smal powered over from a driving maul in the 22nd minute, Swanepoel adding the extras. Boland responded when lock Johnré Stopforth surged over close out, flyhalf Ashlon Davids converting to level matters.
Davids’ penalty just before half-time gave the men from Wellington a three-point lead going into the change rooms.
Centre Zander du Plessis touched down early in the second half before Boland’s discipline unraveled: Kwanda Dimaza, Cornel Smit, Stopforth and Gift Dlamini all sent to the sin bin inside the final quarter.
Man of the Match De Klerk sniped over, with replacement Bentley Geldenhuys grabbing a late Boland try after Annies dotted down twice.
CHEETAHS – Tries: Juan Smal, Zander du Plessis, Faf de Klerk, Michael Annies (2). Conversions: Tiaan Swanepoel (4).
BOLAND CAVALIERS – Tries: Johnré Stopforth, Joshua Eras, Bentley Geldenhuys. Conversions: Ashlon Davids (3). Penalty: Davids.
Photo: Johan Pretorius/Gallo Images
The post Cheetahs fight back to claw Cavaliers appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Michael Annies scored a brace as the Cheetahs capitalised on the Boland Cavaliers’ second-half ill-discipline for a bonus-point win in round six of the Currie Cup on Sunday.
The post Cheetahs fight back to claw Cavaliers appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
