Cheetahs ease past lousy Lions
7 Apr 2012
GARETH DUNCAN reports on the Cheetahs’ 26-5 win over the Lions in Bloemfontein.
This fixture was vital for both teams – the Cheetahs were confident of building on their most successful overseas tour while the Lions were desperate to break their four-match losing streak. And with the uncertainty of the solution that will be taken to accommodate the Southern Kings next season, all local franchises will want to avoid that wooden spoon spot in the South African conference as a relegation method is the most likely route to be taken.
The Cheetahs rose to the occasion and delivered a strong first-half performance, which laid the platform for this victory. It’s massive boost for the Bloemfontein franchise as they gain ground on the stumbling Sharks in the standings, while the lousy Lions plummet closer to a potential (and likely) Super Rugby exit.
Flyhalf Johan Goosen and outside centre Robert Ebersohn were key in the Cheetahs’ surge in the opening 40. The 19-year-old Goosen continued his dependable role with the boot, kicking three penalties and two conversions for a personal haul of 13 points. He also reached his first 100 Super Rugby points with a 50m penalty in the process.
Ebersohn grabbed a brace as the home side capitalised on the Lions’ defensive lapse and errors in their own territory. Ebersohn’s first came after a poor clearance from wing Deon van Rensburg, and from the resulting breakdown, the ball was spread wide and the former beat four defenders to dive over. The Cheetahs No 13 completed his double after being put through by speedster Willie le Roux.
The Lions had several opportunities to cut the deficit, but poor interplay and decision making cost them. In the final five minutes of the first stanza, they camped inside the Cheetahs’ red zone. They came up against a strong defence and failed to cross the chalk, despite being awarded four penalties 5m from the chalk. There’s a clear need for some technical change to the Jozi team’s game plan, and John Mitchell and his coaching staff need to work on this.
The second half was a closer contest, as the Cheetahs’ were not as sharp and became fatigued. The Lions managed to grab a consolation try through Cobus Grobbelaar, but reserve flyhalf Sias Ebersohn’s three-pointer was enough to seal the win.
136 Comments
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7 Apr 2012, 16:51 pm
Well done Cheaters… Went to sleep second half but Goosen was a big loss to the flair of the side.
7 Apr 2012, 16:53 pm
@NoRugbyGuru_0_(RugbyGuru_0_)-100:
Werner Kruger? You gotta be kidding me…
7 Apr 2012, 16:53 pm
Katman didn’t predict this score…
7 Apr 2012, 16:54 pm
Well done Cheetahs. A well deserved Vicory.
Toughies Lions.
7 Apr 2012, 16:55 pm
@NoRugbyGuru_0_(RugbyGuru_0_)-100:
Hahaha, thought so, Werner “Softbelly” Kruger? Are you crazy, a 20 year old ginger killed him last week and and you want him to be the No. 1? Give me some of your smokes. Kruger is all hype. Bekker on the bench?? Have you seen Frans Steyn lately? He is carrying 5-6 Kgs extra. He has lost a lot of speed. Pietersen does not have the pace anymore, that’s why he is playing 13.
7 Apr 2012, 16:55 pm
He’s the best tighthead scrummager in south africa at the moment.
I would like also give coenie a run to see if he can man up at international level
7 Apr 2012, 16:55 pm
Congrats to cheetahs, Captain Sam and their other fans..!
7 Apr 2012, 16:57 pm
@NoRugbyGuru_0_(RugbyGuru_0_)-106:
Wahahahahahaha, then the Boks are in trouble. Kitschoff killed him last week, rewind the PVR to see.
7 Apr 2012, 16:58 pm
@IAAS(I am a stormer)-104:
what’s a Vicory? Victory.
7 Apr 2012, 16:59 pm
Good 1st half performance. Hoped we would do better without Goosen but will take the win. Cant rely to much on him at 10. If he is out at some stage we need to keep winning. 1 point off the sharks! hehe
7 Apr 2012, 16:59 pm
If you watch the game last week then you will notice the bulls got penalised unfairly at the scrums.
Kruger is pure class, he controls the lineouts brilliantly and has a lot of pace for a lock. Did you see who created meisiekinds try last week?
7 Apr 2012, 16:59 pm
Congrats Cheetahs. Liking the backline play.
7 Apr 2012, 16:59 pm
Well done lions! Oh sorry you lost… Again!
7 Apr 2012, 17:00 pm
@NoRugbyGuru_0_(RugbyGuru_0_)-106:
I don’t think so mate. WP Nel way better.
7 Apr 2012, 17:00 pm
@NoRugbyGuru_0_(RugbyGuru_0_)-111:
What I saw was the lock ‘enforcer’ get dominated. If we want a lock to play outside centre, we’ll call Kruger. Bulls got penalised unfairly??? Wahahahahahaha, you’re a joke.
7 Apr 2012, 17:01 pm
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-114:
Agreed.
7 Apr 2012, 17:01 pm
Its going to be a sad day when the might Lions get relegated but then again it did wonders for the Stormers in 1997.
7 Apr 2012, 17:02 pm
Mujati still the best but I guess we have lost him for good…
7 Apr 2012, 17:03 pm
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-118:
I think if WP Nel and Coenie Oosthuisen can get better coaches like Heyneke Meyer and Matt Proudfoot, they will be a mighty force.
7 Apr 2012, 17:04 pm
Let’s hope Timotei and the rest of the girls do it for SA today…
7 Apr 2012, 17:05 pm
@RugbyStudent(RugbyStudent)-119:
Both really talented.
7 Apr 2012, 17:07 pm
Well if we want a lock to play wing then we will call bekker.
Bekker too lig in die broek for test rugby.
7 Apr 2012, 17:10 pm
@NoRugbyGuru_0_(RugbyGuru_0_)-122:
You have no idea what you are talking about.
7 Apr 2012, 17:11 pm
Pateties.
Jaag Butch, Franco en Deon weg asb.
Welgedaan Cheetahs.
Hou so aan julle speel goeie rugby.
7 Apr 2012, 17:11 pm
Keep smoking that good stuff mate
7 Apr 2012, 18:28 pm
Well the Lions truly deserve to be the South African team which gets relegated for the Kings next year
7 Apr 2012, 18:35 pm
I’m a Lions supporter and can truly say that this team and union deserves to be kicked out of super rugby. Give someone else a chance they can’t do any worse! Really pathetic display of rugby skills and game plan. It has been going on like this for more than 10 years.
7 Apr 2012, 19:41 pm
doodpoes coenie was uitstekend vandag.
julle’t my geld gekos by die bookies, cheetahs…maar ek’s bly in elk geval.
7 Apr 2012, 20:54 pm
I see some guys saying Joe Pietersen or Viljoen must play for the Boks but Im sorry to say, actually Im not sorry, but at this moment no fullback in SA even comes close to Daniller.
7 Apr 2012, 21:36 pm
Great victory coming back from tour. Have a good rest Cheetahs, there are some big chiefs coming to visit next week!
7 Apr 2012, 23:02 pm
Congrats Cheetahs. I knew you would do it.
KEEP IT GOING.
8 Apr 2012, 07:26 am
Well done Cheetahs. Great for your fans to see your exciting play rewarded with wins.
8 Apr 2012, 07:30 am
I hope you klap everyone except us.
8 Apr 2012, 09:40 am
I said it then and will say it again, the Currie Cup shouldn’t be played in the RWC year, it distorts the truth.
8 Apr 2012, 09:52 am
Where are all the leeu supporters? Most prob waking up in their caravans with moerse hangovers. Who do the mighty lions face next? The Bulls maybe? eina.
8 Apr 2012, 23:39 pm
At the end of every season the Cheetah’s have their players plundered by other unions and they still come back the next year with a decent side that plays attractive running rugby. Thanks to Grey Bloem!
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