Two tries: Sarel Pretorius
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Sarel Pretorius scored two tries as the Cheetahs beat the Highlanders 36-19 in an entertaining Super Rugby clash in Invercargill on Saturday.
The result is the Cheetahs' first win over the Highlanders in eight attempts, but they certainly deserved the four points collected at Rugby Park as they bounced back from a drubbing at the hands of the Chiefs last week.
The sides scored three tries each with all the Highlanders' touchdowns coming via a hat-trick from wing Kade Poki.
The Cheetahs backs scored all the tries but credit must go to their untouchable line-out and outstanding back row, who dominated their opposition.
Three first-half tries from the Cheetahs, including a charge down and an intercept, saw the visitors race to a 30-7 lead.
The second half was simply a case of managing that lead and the Highlanders never realistically threatened a comeback.
An early penalty from Johan Goosen gave the Cheetahs the lead and they went further ahead on the 20-minute mark when Pretorius finished off a wonderful move that he had started in his own 22.
The Cheetahs were rewarded for their industrious spirit and excellent support play from Pretorius saw the scrum-half bolt clear. Goosen added the extras and a penalty to leave the visitors 13-0 up.
The Highlanders' reply wasn't long in coming however as Poki collected Lima Sopoaga's chip ahead to score and narrow the gap to six.
That was the home fly-half's last positive contribution however as the rest of his game proved to be a nightmare.
Robert Ebersohn charged down Sopoaga before turning on the afterburners to score the Cheetahs' second try and leave Goosen with an easy conversion. The Free Staters' fly-half then landed a long-range penalty after Sopoaga was caught offside to stretch the lead at 23-7.
Sopoaga was again the guilty party when Pretorius intercepted near half way and sprinted clear for his second the Cheetahs' third try.
That was the final straw for Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph, who yanked Sopoaga off in favour of Colin Slade just before half time.
The hosts got the second half off a perfect start as Poki bagged his second at the end of huge overlap after a sweeping build up.
As planned, Springbok flank Heinrich Brüssow made his long-awaited return to the playing field with 30 minutes left on the clock he was immediately in the thick of the action.
Goosen added three more points going into the final quarter as it became clear the Highlanders were not going to be able to fight back.
Poki's hat-trick score proved too little too late as Goosen's fifth penalty rubbed salt into the home side's wounds.
The scorers:
For Highlanders:
Tries: Poki 3
Cons: Sopoaga, Slade
For Highlanders:
Tries: Pretorius 2, Ebersohn
Cons: Goosen 3
Pens: Goosen 5
Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Kade Poki, 13 Phil Burleigh, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Jake Paringatai, 7 John Hardie, 6 Joe Wheeler, 5 Josh Bekhuis, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Ma'afu Fia, 2 Andrew Hore (c), 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Brayden Mitchell, 17 Chris King, 18 Jarrad Hoeata, 19 Tim Boys, 20 Fumiaki Tanaka, 21 Colin Slade, 22 Ma'a Nonu.
Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Willie le Roux, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Pieter Labuschagne, 6 Frans Viljoen, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Lodewyk de Jager, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Trevor Nyakane.
Replacements: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 Rynhard Landman, 19 Heinrich Brüssow, 20 Piet van Zyl, 21 Riaan Smith, 22 Ryno Benjamin.
Venue: Rugby Park, Invercargill
Referee: Nick Briant (New Zealand)
Comments
Trader2 says...
Wallaroo well now I am confused. This year I have mentioned Trinats just the once and that was to say that I was never going to mention him again, and I have stuck to that until now and it is your fault. I planned not to mention him for all the obvious (to me anyway) reasons which I will not go into. Your assertion is that I never correct Kiwi morons is correct (there are plenty of Aussies and Bokke to do that) and by that reference obviously you regard T....ts as an Aussie moron, to which I agree wholeheartedly. Your comments regarding my whining and bigotry display a certain immaturity given that I never complain about my team losing (doesn't mean I have to like it) and I never blame the ref unlike some infamous posters on this site. Surprisingly your immaturity with these comments is at odds with your insightful and interesting comments on the rugby itself. I would suggest you give up defending your "friend" (who I will never mention again), who is afterall indefensible.
Posted 13:10 13th March 2013
Wallaroo says...
Trader2 Mate I haven't got you confused, you always having a go at Trinats. This year I have decided that since Kiwi's find it okay to never correct any of the other Kiwis that behave like morons, and or to ever respond and admit when they are wrong, and or to fire blanket accusations at Saffas and Aussies then I'll do the same (before reverting back to how I really prefer to be). Funny how this has created so much confusion. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realise I really don't like fighting but I will no longer put up with mightier than thou rubbish.
Honestly mate I don't hold out much hope for the Tahs and have adopted the Brumbies as a very close (almost aligned with) 2nd team.
I know you don't like Trinats but leave him alone he's my countryman and I'll leave yours alone.
Posted 14:54 12th March 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
The best match I saw this weekend. Massive hits and the underdog bossed it.
I was pretty neutral, I like the Highlanders but the cheetahs were the underdogs and I have a soft spot for angry forwards and SA is a nation of angry forwards. Anyway I could just flake out and enjoy the Highlander's attacking midfield and the Cheetah's massive hits. It was immovable object vs (almost) irresistable force only this time the irresistable force got bounced a fair few times. Very entertaining match.
Posted 13:27 12th March 2013
Trader2 says...
Wallaroo I think you must be confusing me with someone else - surely - I am cut to the quick.
Bigoted - Hmm strong words obviously you have never met a real bigot
Whining, cannot give credit where credit is due - did you actually read my post.
I always thought your views were pretty even handed, looks like this year the prospect of the Tah's being even worse than normal is too much for you.
Posted 22:01 11th March 2013
UBA05 says...
Go CHEETAHS!!! My 2nd team after the Chiefs. Great game.
If you sill havent caught on to the fact that the Cheetahs play some of the most exciting and entertaining rugby in SuperXV and easily the most entertaining in SA, then you simply cant be helped.
What i cant get my head around is the fact that none of the previous posters have commented on how great their defensive co-ordination was. That has always been their achilles heel. If they can keep it up watch out. Here's to hoping at the very least they can snatch a wildcard berth.
I reckon the Springboks really have to dive into the Cheetahs pack if they want to adopt a free running game, especially the loose forwards, but dont even bother attacking me, i know, for a springbok forward, its all about the muscle and less about the skills and brains, so back to the bulls and stormers Heynecke!!
Posted 15:52 11th March 2013
ferdie says...
SA rules (well this week anyway!) as NZ Herald picks Sarel Pretorius as the Super back of the week, Andries Bekker (Stormers) forward of the week, and Cheetahs 1st in their team picks, followed by Stormers.
Posted 12:45 11th March 2013
7ton says...
Wallaroo
As if anyone should take any notice of trinats2 who mostly just cherrypicks and misrepresents stats and at times even just simply makes them up. That is if he's not bleating away with excuses.
Posted 10:58 11th March 2013
passtheball says...
Trader2 1 Trinats2 0 - taken hook and all. Great fishing with that comment on the Reds - he couldn't resist!
Cheetahs easily the most watchable SA team.
Posted 08:53 11th March 2013
Trinats2 says...
Cheers Wally,
But I can't ignore him, I enjoy winding him up !
Posted 03:21 11th March 2013
Wallaroo says...
Trinats, mate ignore Trader2 he's an absolute waste of time. His comments always come across as bigoted and whining. The Cheetahs beat the Highlanders fair and square and the same bloke that tells everyone to give credit where it is due can't compliment the Cheetahs - bizarre.
Posted 14:41 10th March 2013
Trinats2 says...
kiwilad :
Since the 2010 tri nations its 4 wins NZ, 2 wins Australia and one draw. Not a great record but I blame kiwi born Deans !!!
Posted 10:59 10th March 2013
carpelone says...
That made my day. Go the Cheetahs. Always nice to win in New Zealand.
Posted 08:27 10th March 2013
kiwilad says...
Trinats, "the Reds have won 9 of the last 10 games against Kiwi sides"
Thats a similar record that the ABs have over the Wobblies.
BUT the ABs beat other teans other than the Wobblies.
Anyway, Arent the Reds an honary Kiwi side??
Posted 23:21 09th March 2013
kiwilad says...
Trader2 They were not that bad!!!
Posted 23:12 09th March 2013
mfblions says...
awesome... love how Cheetahs play, always attacking running rugby very enjoyable to watch
Posted 14:43 09th March 2013
Trinats2 says...
Retard2
"Higlanders would have almost lost to the Reds on that display "
The highlanders could improve tenfold and the Reds would still knock them over. Reds , 9 wins from past 10 games against kiwi opposition. Can't wait for 29 March !
Posted 11:51 09th March 2013
IAMpunter2609 says...
Sopoaga single handedly lost the game for the Higlanders.
But give credit where credit is due and the Cheetahs were outstanding on defence and have adopted a refreshing sweeping style of play which the SA teams are not really known for.
Good to see Slade back also
Posted 11:22 09th March 2013
ferdie says...
out-thought, out-played, what a convincing performance from Cheetahs, and an enjoyable game to watch. In the past games played in invercargill have been dominated by crap weather/conditions but tonight no one could complain, thought the ref was good don't recall any contentious decisions. Lots of work in from of the Highlanders, and hope the Cheetahs keep playing that style of winning rugby. .
Posted 10:49 09th March 2013
runnrugby says...
Well played and good win for the cheetahs. The cheetahs scrum and lineout were dominant but the big difference for me was definitely the loosies as the cheetahs were always the first ones to the breakdown. The positive for the highlanders was that the cheetahs only scored 6 points after Sopoaga was subbed off.
Posted 10:28 09th March 2013
kaitangsou says...
Cheetahs still need to build up their confidence...they didn't push for the 4th try...pity...
Posted 10:16 09th March 2013