Clinical Cheetahs hammer Highlanders

Clinical Cheetahs hammer Highlanders

9 Mar 2013

Sarel Pretorius scored twice and Johan Goosen kicked 21 points in a stunning Cheetahs triumph in Invercargill.

The Cheetahs beat the Highlanders 36-19 after leading 30-7 at half time.

Loose forward Lappies Labuschagne’s star shone the brightest on a night in which every one of the visitors had a glow about their performance. Labuschagne was immense on defence, forceful on attack and dominant in everything he did.

The try count was shared at three each but it is misleading in terms of a contest in which the Cheetahs gave a lesson to the hosts in how the game is meant to be played.

The Highlanders were guilty of playing too laterally but that was a consequence of being manhandled in the collisions whenever one of their players tried the direct route.

This looked like men against boys and the Cheetahs seemed to know it. Goosen played the game in the right areas, kicked his penalties and was true to any counter attacking opportunity.

There was nothing fortunate about the Cheetahs two intercept tries. They were a result of brutal defence and this defence was turned into attack by way of intercepts and turnovers. The Highlanders attack made errors because of the pressure of the defence.

The turnaround was amazing, given the Cheetahs were demolished 45-3 in Hamilton a week ago, but the Highlanders are not in the same class of the Chiefs. The hosts’ All Blacks looked old and lethargic and the pack simply got punished for being physically inferior.

Highlanders winger Kade Poki got a hattrick but it had no impact on the result because the Cheetahs were always two scores ahead whenever he scored.

Springbok flanker Heinrich Brussouw completed his comeback to Super Rugby with an effective 30 minute cameo, in which he won turnovers and tormented the home team at the breakdown area.

By Richard Ferguson


294 Comments

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  • 151.Te Rangatira: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 09:52 am

    Brussows steals have been brilliant…

  • 152.hendrikp: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 09:53 am

    Terrible refereeing there. Highlanders were holding on.

  • 153.The Rangerman: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 09:53 am

    go CHEEEEEEEEEEEEETAHS!!!!

    so much for sa having no running game??

  • 154.Markel77: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 09:53 am

    Cheetahs missing too many tackles.

  • 155.gunther: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 09:54 am

    @The Rangerman-153:

    Poep is rebooting as we speak.

    :lol:

  • 156.Fern: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 09:54 am

    @The Rangerman-153:
    How was Moz?
    Did you shoot lots of fish?

  • 157.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 09:54 am

    @hendrikp-150: Yes, great idea – with all those injuries, why not try moving to the other side of the scrum? What could possibly go wrong?

  • 158.Sharks_are_gonna_get_you: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 09:55 am

    Cheetahs need to score here so to break the back and knock in that final nail.

  • 159.The Rangerman: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 09:56 am

    i guess my point from yesterday is made.

    not that i am trying to be a smarta s s guys but the constant nonsies about saffa teams not running the ball etc etc etc is in my opinion a stormerfan lament anbout their team and i dont blame them tbho because its quite clear that the cheetahs are burying that perception today.

  • 160.John Galt: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 09:57 am

    That Nyakane has put in a few big hits today.

  • 161.brains_trust: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 09:58 am

    Piet vZ on

  • 162.hendrikp: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 09:58 am

    @kaksioek-157:

    Think it’s because he has shoulder/neck issues they think tighthead is a more suited position. Loosehead take a bit of damage.

  • 163.gunther: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 09:58 am

    @John Galt-160:

    Some monsters.

    He looks very good in the loose.

  • 164.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 09:59 am

    Labuschagne looks like Shark material – what say you, Skop?

  • 165.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 10:00 am

    @hendrikp-162: Yes, I read that. Oh well, I hope it works out. He seemed to get penalized less at loosehead though.

  • 166.hendrikp: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 10:00 am

    @brains_trust-161:

    Good move bringing Piet van Zyl on.

    Sarel had an excellent game, but the Cheetahs are going to need van Zyl this season as well.

    No point doing a Sias Ebersohn, leaving the guys to rot on the bench.

  • 167.The Rangerman: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 10:00 am

    @gunther-155: :lol:

    @Fern-156: moz was a cracker bud, shot a few fish though the gamies were quiet.

    caught a lot of tuna so we ate sashimi flat out.

  • 168.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 10:01 am

    Ranger after this game you guys will have the best running game in world rugby.

  • 169.brains_trust: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 10:01 am

    @John Galt-160: I agree he’s been good

  • 170.Angostura: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 10:03 am

    Landers look beaten …

  • 171.The Rangerman: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 10:03 am

    @NZINCHINA-168: :lol:

    how old are you?

    you had a big mouth the whole week about the cheetahs chances laddie, care to revise? :lol:

  • 172.hendrikp: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 10:03 am

    @kaksioek-165:

    True.

    Guy his size though… can’t imagine what the issue is. Maybe needs a better gym routine.

    Maybe removing the engagement collision (which will be happening soon) will be his making. Seems to struggle with that most of all.

  • 173.Markel77: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 10:04 am

    Goosens time!!!

  • 174.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 10:05 am

    no chiefs and stormers only

  • 175.The Rangerman: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 10:05 am

    haha, that landers midget got TAUGHT :lol:

    kiwis starting to get filthy here now, true to form.

    high tackles, late hits and lying on the wrong side will be the order of the day unless the ref stamps it out sharpish.

    and a penalty to the cheetahs.

  • 176.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 10:05 am

    and blues

  • 177.John Galt: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 10:08 am

    I’m very glad the Sharks have played the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein already.
    Thes guys are dangerous.

  • 178.The Rangerman: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 10:08 am

    @NZINCHINA-176: ja ja.

    the afrikaans word for you is:

    windgat

    you were shooting your mouth off and now i musnt say the cheetahs have a running game?

    :lol:

    grow up and enjoy the game bud, life is short.

  • 179.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 10:08 am

    The Highlanders have been infringing at ruck time all game, but the Cheetahs have just kept bashing them.

  • 180.David: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 10:10 am

    Cheetahs need to get that 4th try and a bonus point.

  • 181.the curse: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 10:10 am

    @NZINCHINA-168: yep, a try from a chargedown and an intercept is really an indication of running rugby :lol:

  • 182.The Rangerman: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 10:10 am

    doodpoos makes a steal of note.

    hell these cheetahs are up it today, they have smashed seven kinds of poopa out of the landers.

  • 183.sparticus: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 10:11 am

    And the Cheetahs Flank factory does it again ! That Lappies of the cheetahs if awesome today !! I feel like such a doos !! I dropped Pretorious and Kadi Poki from my fantasy team !!! ARRRRRGG !!!!

    PS – U guys notice how the commentators keep referring to Pretorious as Pistoroius ? lol

  • 184.Angostura: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 10:12 am

    The Cheetahs’ backline, apart from Daniller, is physically small by South African standards, yet the defence has been GIGANTIC today … which is so refreshing, coz it is ordinarily not a feature of Cheetahs’ play …
    long may it last

  • 185.hendrikp: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 10:12 am

    Referee has lost the plot.

  • 186.Fern: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 10:12 am

    Brussow went high but it was not malixious
    good call

  • 187.polaris: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 10:12 am

    Good on you, Cheetahs, but how farken farked is my superbru – and the end is not in sight. At least glad I can easily pick the losers and avoid the margin.

  • 188.brains_trust: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 10:13 am

    My picture is being trimmed, I’ve tried all the ARC setting and p.size settings

  • 189.The Rangerman: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 10:13 am

    @the curse-181: right on cue :lol:

    when i call you come running, you hear me?

    nz rugby looking pretty uhm….whats the word you love so much?……oh ja, K A K :lol:

  • 190.Markel77: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 10:14 am

    Careful careful

  • 191.the curse: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 10:14 am

    congrats to the Cheetahs though, have been the hungrier team and thoroughly deserve their win..

    Landers have been guilty of trying to score from every play, rather then being patient..

  • 192.hendrikp: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 10:14 am

    @sparticus-183:

    Did the same last season with Adam Thomson just before he scored a hat-trick.

  • 193.sparticus: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 10:14 am

    ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGG FFS NOW KADI SCORES AGAIN !!! MOFO !!!

  • 194.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 10:15 am

    Poki is deadly.

  • 195.The Rangerman: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 10:15 am

    nice try landers.

    i really enjoy rugby just for the games sake.

  • 196.the curse: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 10:15 am

    @The Rangerman-189: not at all ranger, but your infatuation with me continues..

    tournament is not won in March, but you go on with yourself..

    lets see which team wins the title, you know, that thing NZ teams have won 11 times..

    something your team has choked at at 5 attempts..

  • 197.mxhosa: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 10:17 am

    Shouldn’t have taken Ebersohn off!

  • 198.polaris: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 10:17 am

    @The Rangerman-159: Not the Cheetahs, mate. They traditionally have loved the running, as far as I recall.

  • 199.The Rangerman: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 10:17 am

    @the curse-191: running around like headless chickens throwing aimless passes instead of trying to build phases more like it.

    my guess is they planned to run the cheetahs off their feet after watching the chiefs do it in the final quarter but they underestimated the cheetahs resolve completely.

  • 200.brains_trust: Reply to this comment
    9 Mar 2013, 10:17 am

    The HL had the ball at the base of the ruck for 20 secs and the ref doesn’t blow them up. K aaa k defense by Rule

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