Cheetahs bring S. Kings back down to earth

[Intercept King JDV]

The Cheetahs brought the Southern Kings back down to earth with a 45-17 pre-Super Rugby season victory at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Friday.

The Southern Kings impressed last weekend against the triple Super 14 champion Bulls when they ran out 23-7 winners at the same venue last Saturday.

The Cheetahs always take a step up for South African teams and this was no exception as they ran in seven tries to two.

The Cheetahs led 38-10 at half time and conceded a second try in the second half but also scored one of their own.

The Southern Kings have another fixture before the Super rugby season starts against the resurgent Lions which might give a better idea on their standing.

Final Score Cheetahs 45 Southern Kings 17

Scorers

Southern Kings:
Tries: N. Nelson, SP Marais
Conversions: M.Dumond 2
Penalties: M. Dumond

Cheetahs:
Tries: A. Strauss, WP Nel, R. Barnes, J.Smith, N. Olivier, P. Burger, S.Pretorius
Conversions: N. Oliver 5

Teams

Southern Kings: 15 SP Marais, 14 Paul Perez, 13 Siyanda Grey, 12 Matthew Tayler-Smith, 11 Norman Nelson, 10 Monty Dumond, 9 Jacques Coetzee, 8 Darron Nell, 7 Mpho Mbiyozo, 6 Devin Oosthuizen, 5 Ross Kennedy, 4 Rory Duncan (captain), 3 Andre Schlechter, 2 Hannes Franklin, 1 Jaco Engels.

Replacements - from: Frank Herne, Ronnie Uys, Lungelo Payi, Boetie Brits, Boela Abrahams, Jaco van Schalkwyk, Milo Nqoro, Sphephelo Mayaba, Nolan Clark, Morne Hanekom, Shane Gates.

Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Philip Burger, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Ryno Benjamin, 10 Naas Olivier, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Kabamba Floors, 7 Juan Smith (captain), 6 Frans Viljoen, 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 4 Martin Muller, 3 WP Nel, 2 Ryno Barnes, 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.

Replacements - Skipper Badenhorst, Kobus Calldo, Waltie Vermeulen, Philip van der Walt, Ashley Johnson, Tewis de Bruyn, Sias Ebersohn, Corne Uys, Riaan Viljoen

http://www.superxv.com/news/super15_rugby_news.asp?id=28705

Well done Cheetahs!Looking at their squad now, I think they might just have something to knock some of the "big guns" over this season...

Very solid front-row in Oosthuizen, Barnes/Badenhorst and WP Nel.Back-row has some fantastic names like Ashley Johnson, Juan Smith, Floors and not even to mention Brussow when he comes back from injury...Very good half-back pairing, solid centers, very quick wingers and 2 solid, big-footed fullbacks in Daniller & Viljoen.

Only problem is the lack of experience in their second-row department.

Still, I think they have what it takes to step up this year and to reach the play-offs

 

[Gena_ZA]

Like Naka Drodskesaid, he is really dissapointed that they played against only 14 players most of the gamne after a send off.
But glad to hear that the handling is top notch, it was diabolical at stages in the other pre seasons friendlies for the other SA teams.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Cheetahs have started their preparations with success.
Really keen on how they will preform during the comp.