Cheetahs – praag.org

Cheetahs played full 80 minutes to win: Prinsloo

Free State Cheetahs captain Boom Prinsloo praised his side for playing the full 80 minutes to beat the Golden Lions 26-23 in their Currie Cup game in the Free State stadium in Bloemfontein on Friday.

The hosts are now second on the logm pending the results of Saturday’s other Currie Cup games between Griquas and the Sharks and the Blue Bulls and Western Province, but for the time being eighth-man Prinsloo,is relieved that his team stood their ground for victory.

The Cheetahs nearly squandered a half time lead of 23-3 and gave the Lions ample chance to make a come back, with a penalty by Cheetahs winger Riaan Smit the only difference.

“We made it very difficult for ourselves in the second half, but I am glad that the guys kept their cool and did not lose their concentration. In the end we finished well,” said Prinsloo.

“This Lions team never gives up. Credit must go to my team mates for playing untill the final whistle. I am really proud of the effort they put in.”

The Cheetahs looked impressive in the line outs, but struggled in the scrums with Lions Springbok front rower CJ van der Linde an important factor.

“Our lineouts improved a lot since last week after we worked hard on it in our preparation, but our scrums weren’t up to scratch. We are still struggling a bit with the timing and the new calls, but we need to rectify that this coming week,” Prinsloo added.

“Next week we play the Sharks. It is always tough to travel to Durban. But if we can build on the momentum we now have after beating the Lions we can not only beat the Sharks in their own back yard, but really finish well this season,” Prinsloo added.

The Lions followed their lacklustre performance in the first half with a stellar 40 minutes in the second, but in the end good tries by winger Anthony Volmink and replacement full back Ruan Nel were not enough to see the visitors travel back to Johannesburg with a win.

“We struggled to get into our rhythm in the first half and made it very difficult for ourselves. The guys really pitched in the second half, but we can’t just play rugby in the second 40 minutes, we have to play the full game, something we did not do against the Cheetahs. It is really something we need to work on,” Lions flanker and captain Derick Minnie said. – Sapa

New Sharks recruit SP Marais has Springbok ambitions

New Sharks recruit SP Marais said it was not easy leaving Port Elizabeth for Durban, following his recent switch from the Southern Kings, but felt the move was necessary for his long-term ambitions.

The 24-year-old was the biggest pre-Currie Cup signing for the KwaZulu-Natal side and their new coaching staff.

Marais revealed on Tuesday he turned down offers from the Bulls and Cheetahs following his former team’s relegation from Super Rugby.

“There were a few options but I had to look at the bigger picture,” he said.

“I had to make a sound decision and, for any rugby player, the most important thing is your game time and that was one of the big factors that brought me here.”

The Cape Town-born player made a successful start with the Sharks scoring a match-winning try on debut against the Lions last Friday.

“As you see, I’ve been here a week and already got the opportunity,” Marais said.

“I need to use these opportunities now, so that when Super Rugby comes around next year, I’ve already found my place here.

“The first game was good, but it was more about the team winning and I’m glad I was part of that.”

His decision to leave Eastern Province was based on his ultimate goal to play for the Springboks.

“If you want to go further and into the green and gold, then this is the way to do it.

“So it was time for me to move and I’m very happy to be here.”

Marais credited Alan Zondagh, former Western Cape coach and founder of the Rugby Performance Center (RPC), as well as ex-Springbok assistant Alan Solomons, who recently left the Kings, for enhancing his development.

“The two of them played quite a big role in my career,” he said.

The Sharks on Tuesday confirmed Jacques Botes would stay on as captain for the competition, despite the return of Keegan Daniel.

The regular skipper missed the opening two games of the campaign with a knee injury, but would be back this week, said backs coach Sean Everitt.

“We want to keep Jacques as captain just for continuity purposes,” Everitt said. “

Just because it’s a new group, with new coaches, the more continuity you have the better. He’s done really well and we want him to continue.”

Daniel would wear the number six jersey instead of Brynard Stander, who was ruled out due to a ligament problem.

Odwa Ndungane and Tim Whitehead (ankle and rib) were also out — the former after sustaining a hamstring injury on Friday, although Sizo Maseko, Jean Deysel and Marco Wentzel have all been passed fit to play. – Sapa

Cheetahs narrowly beat Lions

The Free State Cheetahs got their Absa Currie Cup campaign off to a good start when they narrowly beat the Golden Lions 30-29 at Ellis Park Stadium on Saturday.

They return home with maximum points after outscoring their opponents by four tires to three. After conceding an early penalty, the Cheetahs scored the first try of match through centre Robert Ebershon. The visitors, who had several Super Rugby players in their starting line-up, appeared to be the more polished side as they put the Lions under pressure. They were rewarded when Boom Prinsloo went over for a typical forward’s try to give his side a 13-6 lead.

The Lions have some good runners in their side as well…. one of them is centre Stokkies Hanekom, who scored their first try. The Cheetahs, who were trailing 16-13 at half time, only had themselves to blame as they squandered several scoring opportunities. Although the second half was rather scrappy at times, the Cheetahs enjoyed territorial advantage early on.

They regained the lead through a Sarel Pretorious try, before Johan Sadie gave them the bonus point try. The introduction of Elton Jantjies gave the Lions a new lease on life. They scored two tries in the last quarter, but fell short by a point as the Cheetahs won the first round of the cat fight. – SABC

Unlucky kick dashes Cheetah hopes in dying moments

Cheetahs five-eighth Riaan Smit hit the post with a conversion attempt after the siren to give the Brumbies a 15-13 win in their Super Rugby qualifying final in Canberra.

While the Cheetahs scored the only two tries of the match, the Brumbies dominated the kicking duel and were amply rewarded with prime territory throughout the game.

The Brumbies had the lion’s share of the possession in the first half, yet the Cheetahs’ trademark scrambling defence proved up to the task.

A hotly contested breakdown battle also stilted momentum for both teams, referee Glenn Jackson warning both captains to clean up their sides’ acts midway through the second half.

The Cheetahs were seven points down when replacement Ryno Benjamin crossed in the left corner in the final minute to give Smit a chance to send the game into extra time.

But the kick hit the left post and the Brumbies escaped with the narrow victory to book a semi-final against the Bulls in Pretoria early next Sunday morning (AEST).

While the home side arguably had the rub of the green on scrum penalty decisions from Jackson in the first half, Brumbies loose-head prop Scott Sio was clearly dominant in the second half.

Man-of-the-match George Smith was also outstanding for the Brumbies, his presence at the breakdown a constant thorn in the side of the Cheetahs.

The Brumbies were rewarded for a blitzing start with an early penalty goal, but the Cheetahs hit back in the 16th minute when their first attacking set-piece yielded a try to outside centre Johann Sadie.

Sharp-shooting goal-kicker Christian Lealiifano then uncharacteristically missed two penalty shots before finding his range again to give the Brumbies a 6-5 lead at the break.

The Cheetahs drew first blood after the break with a penalty goal to Smit, but the Brumbies hit back with three of their own to gain the seven-point lead which would eventually help them hold on for victory. – AP

Super 15 rugby: Brumbies 15 Cheetahs 13

Johann Sadie, one of the try scorers for the Cheetahs

Result of a Super 15 rugby qualifier between the ACT Brumbies and Central Cheetahs on Sunday:
ACT Brumbies (AUS) 15 Central Cheetahs (RSA) 13
Ht: 6-5
Scorers
Brumbies – Penalties: Christian Lealiifano (4), Nic White
Cheetahs – Tries: Johann Sadie, Rayno Benjamin; Penalties: Riaan Smit
Referee: Glen Jackson (NZL) – AFP

Smith, Rathbone to face Cheetahs

Wallabies George Smith and Clyde Rathbone will return to the ACT Brumbies starting team for this weekend’s Super Rugby qualifier against South Africa’s Central Cheetahs, the club said Friday.

The players are making an unlikely finals appearance in Canberra on Sunday after Rathbone came out of retirement this year and Smith was loaned by his Japanese club Suntory Sungoliath.

Making way for winger Rathbone is Joe Tomane, who played for the Wallabies against the British and Irish Lions this month, while Colby Faingaa also goes to the bench with flanker Smith taking the number seven jersey.

Scrum-half Nic White also returns to the starting side for the first time since injuring his shoulder with Ian Prior returning to the bench.

“Bringing two guys like Clyde and George into our starting side will give us experience when we need it. Those two guys have both won championships at Canberra Stadium and it’s exciting to have them involved,” coach Jake White said.

“The Cheetahs are a side which has made huge improvements over the last two seasons and it’s a credit to them that they are now a competition threat.”

It will be the Brumbies first finals match since they won the Super Rugby title in 2004. – AFP

Cheetahs outsiders in Super rugby playoffs

The Bloemfontein-based Cheetahs will celebrate their best season in Super Rugby on Saturday by gate-crashing a playoff party for former champions.

The Cheetahs – who have qualified for the playoffs for the first time -are the only one of the six remaining teams which has never won a Super Rugby title. Their quarterfinal opponents, the ACT Brumbies, have two; the Canterbury Crusaders, who host the other quarterfinal, have seven and their opponents, the Queensland Reds have one.

Two teams received a bye to the semifinal stage: the Hamilton-based Chiefs will defend their only Super Rugby crown and the Pretoria-based Bulls will attempt to win their third title and their first since 2010.

The Cheetahs are unused to being among such illustrious company.

Their best-ever finish was seventh in 1997, after which they left the tournament for nine years. Since rejoining the competition in 2006, they have never finished higher than 10th.

But this season, under former Springboks hooker Naka Drotske, they have perfected one of the most expansive gameplans in the competition, winning 10 of 16 regular-season games and showing an ability – vital to South African teams – of winning in Australia and New Zealand.

They won at the Dunedin-based Highlanders, the New South Wales Waratahs and the Western Force, losing only to the Chiefs on their overseas games.

“We have a confident atmosphere in the team and we know if we play well, we can beat any team on the day,” Drotske said.

“The last two tours – where we have won in Australia – have done our confidence the world of good. And we prefer to play the Brumbies. They are also new to the playoffs and their current group of players hasn’t played in this round of the competition yet, so it is a new thing to them as well.”

The Cheetahs were underestimated by many opponents, and hope to exploit the same advantage on Sunday when the Brumbies, champions of the Australian conference, might take them too lightly.

“We play better as a team when we are underdogs as there is absolutely no pressure on us,” Drotske said.

The Brumbies have been the top team in Australia this season but the confidence of many players may have been dented by being part of an Australia team that was beaten by the British and Irish Lions, while the ACT was also beaten last week in Perth.

Brumbies coach Jake White says veteran flanker George Smith will definitely be among his starting lineup for the match, though Smith had a tough time in the third Lions

test after suffering an early head knock.

The Crusaders have named All Blacks captain Richie McCaw on the bench and international lock Luke Romano in their starting lineup for Saturday’s match at Christchurch.

McCaw expected to miss all of the Super Rugby season during an eight months “sabbatical” which began after New Zealand’s loss to England at Twickenham in December. He was due to return for the All Blacks’ first Rugby Championships match against Australia on Aug. 17 but has answered the Crusaders’ call for late-season reinforcement.

The Crusaders are attempting to win an eighth Super Rugby title. This will be their 12th-straight appearance in the playoffs but the players are not yet jaded.

“You have got to treat it as an honor, not a burden,” scrumhalf Andy Ellis said. “As soon as you think ‘we have been here so many times, we should win it, we should win it’ it just creates anxiety.”

Queensland has named Wallabies James Horwill and Will Genia in their starting lineup, though they have lost center Anthony Faingaa, winger Rod Davies and utility Mike Harris from a backline which has changed in four places after last week’s narrow win over New South Wales.

“There is always going to be some damage at this time of the year and while it’s disappointing to be without a few guys, we are getting the experience of James and Will back,” coach Ewen McKenzie said. “Their influence can’t be understated and you need world-class players and strong leaders if you are going to win these games on the big stage.” – AP

Blue Bulls win at last against Cheetahs

The Blue Bulls broke their three-week losing streak with a clinical performance to trounce the Free State Cheetahs 34-30 in Pretoria on Saturday.

While the Bulls had underperformed in previous weeks, things seemed to click for the hosts as they dominated every aspect of play to shut the Cheetahs out.

The victory kept the Bulls in the running to secure a place in the playoffs, lifting them off the bottom rung of the Currie Cup ladder, while the Cheetahs dropped down to the bottom of the log.

Bulls flyhalf Louis Fouche opened the scoring with a penalty conversion in the fourth minute while Cheetahs winger Nico Scheepers returned the favour four minutes later.

The Pretoria side got over the whitewash in the 12th minute when eighthman Arno Botha pierced the Cheetahs’ defensive line.

The talented loose forward calmly offloaded to a speeding Sampie Mastriet, who scored in the corner, with Fouche missing the conversion kick.

Scheepers closed the gap once again with a successful shot at goal in the 17th minute to take the scores to 8-6.

Fouche then stepped up to the plate to slot over a monstrous attempt at goal from deep inside his own half.

He succeeded with two more penalty conversions to extend the Bulls’ lead to 11 points with eight minutes left in the opening period.

The Cheetahs then added another three points on the half-time whistle with Scheepers converting a penalty to reduce the home side’s advantage.

After the break, Fouche converted another penalty conversion to regain their 18-point lead.

The Cheetahs, however, refused to bow down as they hit back with two tries within the space of 10 minutes.

The visiting attack found a new spark as Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske sent Sias Ebersohn on to replace Tewis de Bruyn at flyhalf.

It was, however, exciting backline player Raymond Rhule who was rewarded in the 53rd minute for an all-round sterling performance on the night, with Scheepers converting.

Midway through the second half the Cheetahs once again found a gap in the Bulls’ defence with Scheepers scoring in the right hand corner and converting his own try.

The closing minutes were filled with drama with the Bulls defending a four-point lead.

The hosts, however, took the game out of the Cheetahs’ reach as replacement loose forward CJ Stander added his name to the try scoring sheet with four minutes remaining in the encounter.

The Free Staters had the last say of the match as prop Marcel van der Merwe scored the final try with a minute left on the clock.

Scorers: Bulls 34 (17): Tries: Sampie Mastriet, Franco Mostert, CJ Stander. Conversions: Louis Fouche (2). Penalties: Fouche (5).

Free State Cheetahs 30 (9): Tries: Raymond Rhule, Nico Scheepers, Marcel van der Merwe. Conversions: Scheepers (3). Penalties: Scheepers (3).- Sapa