Staff Reporter.
The Toyota Cheetahs proved far too good for a young, inexperienced Vodacom Bulls side, beating the visitors 35-5 in their final Currie Cup pool match at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Saturday night.
The bonus-point win, courtesy of five tries to the winners, means that the Cheetahs finish top of the log and will play the Airlink Pumas in next week’s semifinal in Bloemfontein. The second-placed Bulls will play the Windhoek Draught Griquas in Pretoria.
The Bulls had taken a 28-man squad to Ireland for their URC semifinal win over Leinster and this meant they were forced to pick a raw young team for this match.
The disparity between the teams was particularly apparent in the first half. Not surprisingly, the Cheetahs – minus only Frans Steyn from their strongest lineup – dominated the play, scoring four tries – all superbly converted from the touchline by their general, Ruan Pienaar – without reply as they led 28-0 at halftime. The Bulls performed much better in the second half and the Cheetahs lacked a little discipline as both teams scored a try apiece in the second period.
The Cheetahs had an almost impeccable first 40 minutes – barely giving the youthful Bulls a sniff of an opportunity on attack – with their 38-year-old scrumhalf Pienaar defying his age with a commanding performance behind a dominant pack. His line and place-kicking were immaculate and his passing was fast, flat and accurate.
Pienaar showed his presence after just two minutes after the Bulls obstructed in midfield and he sent his penalty kick perfectly to the 5m line. From there it was almost routine as the Cheetahs won the lineout and then drove over their hooker, Louis van der Westhuizen, for his 14th try of the campaign.
Ten minutes later the Cheetahs did it again, with Pienaar’s penalty kick paving the way for another lineout, another catch for Victor Sekekete, another drive and another try for the hooker. Both tries were scored in the right-hand corner and both were converted by Pienaar from the touchline.
The Cheetahs’ next try was more typical of the free-flowing Free Staters as a line movement from right to left was finished off by right-wing Daniel Kasende, popping up when least expected, looking for work.
The home team then clinched their bonus-point try when Pienaar fed centre David Brits from a maul and he squeezed over in the left corner – Pienaar once again providing the extra points from the touchline.
The Bulls – who gave away eight penalties in the first period – did begin to get their act together in the closing minutes of the half but the Cheetahs showed determination in defence to keep their line intact.
The Cheetahs continued their dominance at the beginning of the second half with another superb Pienaar pass enabling fullback Clayton Blommetjies to saunter through a huge gap and dot down halfway out. Pienaar had his easiest kick of the night, and he duly split the uprights.
By this stage, the match was won, but the Bulls showed commendable spirit to strike back with centre Stedman Gans finishing off a flowing movement in which many players linked up to set him free. Juan Mostert missed the conversion.
There was no further scoring in the remaining 30 minutes, with the Bulls showing better structure on defence and more ambition in attack. The play was frantic, breathless and filled with errors from both sides as the Cheetahs completed a clear-cut victory.
Scorers:
Toyota Cheetahs 35 (28) – Tries: Louis van der Weshuizen (2), Daniel Kasende, David Brits, Clayton Blommetjies. Conversions: Ruan Pienaar (5)
Vodacom Blue Bulls: 5 (0) – Try: Stedman Gans.