Cheetahs clinch courageous comeback win

Cheetahs clinch courageous comeback win

31 Mar 2012

GARETH DUNCAN watched the Cheetahs overcome a 32-11 deficit in the first half to down the Hurricanes 47-38 in Wellington.

It’s unlikely that you’ll see a similar attacking spectacle like the one displayed in this clash again this season. Ten tries were scored between the two teams, with the Cheetahs claiming six of them to secure a famous comeback triumph. They trailed by 21 points midway through the opening 40, but a strong finish to the first stanza saw them draw level at 32-32 at half-time. Tries from WP Nel and Coenie Oosthuizen, and Johan Goosen’s conversion and penalty was enough to seal the win as the Hurricanes could only add two Beauden Barrett penalties.

It was the Bloemfontein franchise’s fourth overseas victory in their Super Rugby history – a result that will be spoken about for years to come as it confirmed their most successful tour to Australasia.

The Cheetahs’ expansive approach laid the platform for this win. While poor ball retention and a weak cover defence cost them dearly in the first quarter, they managed to build strong momentum before the break and held on to that ascendancy in the second half.

The Hurricanes played most of the match in their own territory and were starved of quality possession, which were two key factors in their eventual downfall. Head coach Mark Hammett will lament this defeat considering his side’s wonderful start to the match.

While the Cheetahs’ smart interplay between forwards and backs saw them break easily into the Hurricanes’ half, the hosts forced several early turnovers and their continuity on the counterattack helped them score four tries in 30 minutes. After Dane Coles powered through from the kick-off, Beauden Barrett, Andre Taylor and TJ Perenara crossed the chalk as they capitalised on the visitors’ poor cover defence.

The introduction of Ashley Johnson off the bench shortly after the flurry of tries proved to be a crucial early substitution as he made a massive impact on attack and defence. Andries Strauss scored the Cheetahs’ only try in the first quarter, but Hennie Daniller, Ryno Benjamin and Oosthuizen all dotted down in a 10-minute period to level the scores at the break.

The game then tightened up in the second half. This benefitted the Cheetahs, who bossed possession and conceded less turnovers. The Hurricanes struggled in reply and the contest was over when Oosthuizen completed his brace in the final quarter.


220 Comments

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  • 101.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:03 am

    Bonjour Pooper.

  • 102.ufo: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:06 am

    @Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-99:

    i stand corrected…

    i can’t do the english… :wink:

    apologies 4moreyears…

  • 103.4moreyears: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:06 am

    Oh this is so pure.

  • 104.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:07 am

    Hou vas!

  • 105.Slartibartfast: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:07 am

    @ufo(ufo)-102:

    Is ok, my second tale as well…I was just thinking the same at the time.

  • 106.Captain Sam Vimes: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:08 am

    Its a good way to start a Saturday……………….boys we skipped the light fandango today chaps, from one Captain to another………”yo Adriaaan yo Adriaaan we did it Adriaan”

  • 107.ufo: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:08 am

    @Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-105:

    no prob. .. it’s all cool bud…

    :lol:

  • 108.Treehugger: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:09 am

    Cheetahs are really playing some outstanding rugby. Am so happy for their supporters watching this game, am bbming like crazy with a Cheetahs supporter lol.

  • 109.ufo: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:09 am

    @Captain Sam Vimes(Captain Sam Vimes)-106:

    let’s hope you can turn cartwheels across the floor afterwards… :lol:

  • 110.Slartibartfast: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:09 am

    Canes look a little like the Cheetahs usually does on tour, dropsies, poor decisions etc…

    Man, imagine if the Cheetahs were not cheated out of the first game against the Brumbies they would have been 3/4 on tour!

  • 111.4moreyears: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:10 am

    Cheetahs deserve this win come on boys.

  • 112.Captain Sam Vimes: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:10 am

    @ufo(ufo)-109: hey dude I am feeling pretty sea sick but calling out for more!!!!!

  • 113.Wezwp: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:10 am

    the way things are going the keo team will b heading to 30% success rate with the predictions

  • 114.Slartibartfast: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:11 am

    Keep them out boys.

  • 115.Slartibartfast: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:11 am

    VRYSTAAAAAAAAAAAAT!!!!!

  • 116.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:12 am

    Superb win.

  • 117.ufo: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:12 am

    @Captain Sam Vimes(Captain Sam Vimes)-112:

    when you call out for another drink…

    you and your team deserve the waitress to bring a tray…!!

  • 118.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:12 am

    Yaayyyyyy!

  • 119.Slappes: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:13 am

    Cheetahs are champs!

  • 120.Treehugger: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:13 am

    CONGRATS CHEETAHS….. outstanding game

  • 121.Nils: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:13 am

    Oh, well. As soon as I thought Canes are doing fine, Cheetahs score 5 tries.

    Well done, Cheetahs, awesome display.

  • 122.ufo: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:13 am

    cartwheel time…!! :lol:

    great game cheetahs…

    great start to the weekend…

    Capt’n Sam… enjoy it…!

    and welcome to the blog…!

  • 123.Hondo: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:13 am

    Cheetahs win!
    Matched my prediction, missed the margins by 4 points though

  • 124.wpstormerbok: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:13 am

    Seems like i just missed the mother of all comebacks???

  • 125.bryce_in_oz: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:14 am

    Cheetahs need to learn to tackle and they’d be half way up the table… not propping up the bottom…

  • 126.XhosaKid: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:14 am

    Yeaaaaaaaaaap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, well boys!!!!, well done Cheetahs!!!!!!!

  • 127.Slartibartfast: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:14 am

    @Nils(Nils)-121:

    Hahahaha Nils, I assume you tipped the Canes?

    Well done boys, great win.

  • 128.Captain Sam Vimes: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:14 am

    @ufo(ufo)-117: cheers Mate and thank you my beloved Bloem Bashers…………we may not have a complete game but dammit we have guts matter of fact from now on Adriaan you will be known as Adriaan G Sampson and the G stands for guts guts and more guts.

  • 129.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:15 am

    What time is sharks game?
    I thought it’s after this one?

  • 130.Slartibartfast: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:15 am

    @bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-125:

    Yip, first up tackling is very poor. They did well against the Crusaders but it was back to form again.

  • 131.Slartibartfast: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:16 am

    @wpstormerbok(wpstormerbok)-124:

    You also missed a great match.

  • 132.THE MAULER: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:17 am

    Well done Cheetahs!! Brilliant game!!

  • 133.THE MAULER: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:18 am

    Dawn they play after the Chiefs game

  • 134.Nils: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:18 am

    @Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-127: If I had a penny every time I have correctly picked a loser, Gates with Buffett would be competing in quarterfinal for the honour to polish my shoes.

  • 135.stormer in a teacup: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:20 am

    Magic. Go the mighty Cheetahs.

  • 136.4moreyears: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:20 am

    The red label is flowing tonight.

  • 137.garth: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:21 am

    Awesome to to the Cheetahs playing Free State rugby again. Coenie showed why he is the top prop in SA.

  • 138.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:23 am

    Connie for President :)
    Amazing game

  • 139.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:24 am

    cheetahs bag 5 pts, the lions are getting left behind.

  • 140.bryce_in_oz: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:24 am

    @Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-130:

    Yep… painful…

  • 141.grant10: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:24 am

    why does SBW always fight against blind 65 year old Hobo’s? why doesn’t he set up a fight against Coenie?

  • 142.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:24 am

    Is coenie doodpoes?

  • 143.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:24 am

    I am so impressed with the skills of the forwards and the whole attitude
    Well done boys Canes are shocked

  • 144.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:26 am

    You know a few weeks ago I had my bok front row as
    1. Connie
    2. Bismark
    3. J dup
    But WP Nel has to be considered :)

  • 145.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:27 am

    Oh and Straus at back up 2 ??

  • 146.Slartibartfast: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:27 am

    @Dawn(Dawn)-142:

    Remember a while ago he was in trouble afater a bar ‘incedent’, that is what he said to the bloke stupid enough to try and fight him

  • 147.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:29 am

    :lol:

  • 148.4moreyears: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:31 am

    Man Heinike could do a lot worse than follow the Cheetahs brand of rugby.

  • 149.ufo: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:31 am

    @CoachPete(CoachPete)-145:

    yeah…

    strauss is a really good hooker and captain…

    also looks like the late and funny chris farley…!!

  • 150.Captain Sam Vimes: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 08:31 am

    “I seen them in a smokey room…………….smell of wine and cheap perfume…………..” thanks again boys that was a pretty special game!!!

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