The Cheetahs overturned a 17-point second-half deficit to beat Georgia’s Black Lion in Bloemfontein on Sunday.
The Free Staters ran out 47-31 winners in the Toyota Challenge clash after trailing 24-7 early in the second half.
Winger Michael Annies gave the hosts a dream start, crossing inside two minutes after a clever kick from Cohen Jasper, but Black Lion hit back with converted tries by flank Giorgi Tsutskiridze and winger Roma Makhatadze and a penalty goal from fullback Luka Tsirekidze.
The visitors led 17-7 at the break and extended their advantage early in the second half with a third converted try by prop Davit Abdushelishvili.
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A turning point came when Black Lion captain Mikheil Babunashvili received a second yellow card and was sent off on a 20-minute red card for a high tackle on Annies.
The Cheetahs immediately capitalised. Replacement prop Ben Pitout crashed over before scrumhalf Marco Jansen van Vuren narrowed the gap to just three points.
Centre Munier Hartzenberg then marked his 50th Cheetahs appearance in style, finishing off a sweeping attack that started deep inside the hosts’ half to put them ahead.
With Black Lion’s discipline continuing to unravel, flyhalf Jaco van der Walt and centre Zander du Plessis added further tries to stretch the lead.
Hartzenberg grabbed his second late in the game, before centre Tornike Kakhoidze scored a consolation try for the Georgians.
Earlier on Sunday, Griquas thrashed Portugal’s Lusitanos 67-7 and the Pumas beat Romania A 46-26.
CHEETAHS – Tries: Michael Annies, Ben Pitout, Marko Jansen van Vuren, Munier Hartzenberg (2), Jaco van der Walt, Zander du Plessis. Conversions: Van der Walt (5), Cohen Jasper.
BLACK LION – Tries: Giorgi Tsutskiridze, Roma Makhatadze, Davit Abdushelishvili, Tornike Kakhoidze. Conversions: Luka Tsirekidze (4). Penalty: Tsirekidze.
Toyota Challenge results
Round 1
Pumas 36 Black Lion 46
Griquas 35 Romania A 20
Cheetahs 54 Lusitanos 24
Round 2
Griquas 56 Black Lion 21
Pumas 57 Lusitanos 24
Cheetahs 47 Romania A 14
Round 3
Griquas 76 Lusitanos 7
Pumas 46 Romania A 26
Cheetahs 47 Black Lion 31
Photo: Cheetahs Rugby
The post Cheetahs fightback sinks Black Lion appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The Cheetahs overturned a 17-point second-half deficit to beat Georgia’s Black Lion in Bloemfontein on Sunday.
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