Cheetahs march to dominant win over Lions

The Toyota Cheetahs produced a solid performance to cruise to a 47-31 victory over the ADT Lions at the Toyota Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The victory takes them to the top of the log, ahead of the Boland Cavaliers.

The contest was a game of two halves. The home side coasted to a huge lead in the first 40 minutes.

The visitors fought back in the second half, and almost overturned the deficit, but the Cheetahs proved to be too strong.

The Cheetahs secure back-to-back victories in Bloem 🏉💥#CurrieCup | #SSRugby pic.twitter.com/7rb6N7X7YB

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The home side got off to a strong start, dominating the opening 10 minutes.

Hooker Marko Janse van Rensburg planted a brace of tries to put the Cheetahs ahead.

Both tries were from mauls as the home side buried the Lions under an avalanche of pressure.

Cohen Jasper dully converted both efforts to spirit the Cheetahs to a 14-0 lead.

The hosts further extended their lead to 19-0 seven minutes later, winger Prince Nkabinde received a brilliant pass from Franco Smith and made good yards to go over in the corner.

The Cheetahs didn't allow the visitors room to find their feet as they pushed hard for a fourth try in the half.

They got their reward when Clayton Blommetjies forced his way past three Lions players to earn the Cheetahs the bonus point in the 33rd minute.

The full-back also converted the kick to give the hosts a 26-0 lead.

LIONS' FIGHTBACK IN VAIN

The last five minutes saw the visitors push for redemption. Their defence denied the Cheetahs more tries and their attack put them on the board when Gianni Lombard worked his way past two defenders to land the Lions' first try five minutes from the halftime break.

The visitors emerged from the halftime break an inspired side. They put the Cheetahs under pressure and scored their second try through Morne Brandon, before Sam Francis nailed his first conversion of the encounter.

However, the Cheetahs were not prepared to let the visitors work their way back into the contest.

They restored their lead when Michael Annies ran on the shoulder to make his first try of the season. Blommetjies stood over the ball and converted.

For their part, the Lions were undaunted and they capitalised on a few missed tackles by the Cheetahs as they combined for an outstanding team try through Angelo Davids 14 minutes into the second half.

Nico Steyn and Sam Francis put the Lions within touching distance of the Cheetahs.

Steyn went over the line for the Lions' fourth, before Francis converted the kick.

Moments later, centre Rynhardt Jonker displayed a great level of skill when he planted a grubber from Steyn in the 63rd minute.

The Cheetahs got breathing room when they were awarded a penalty try after a cynical challenge by Giannis Lombard on the line in the 69th-minute.

The points gave them a 40-31 lead.

The visitors remained hopeful as they fought back, however scrumhalf Jandre Nel took the air out of the Lions' sail when he nailed his second try of the season.

Blommetjies sealed the victory with a well-struck conversion.

Scorers:

Toyota Cheetahs: Tries - Marko Janse van Rensburg (2), Prince Nkabinde, Clayton Blommetjies, Michael Annies, Jandre Nel. Conversions - Cohen Jasper (2), Clayton Blommetjies (3)

ADT Lions: Tries: - Gianni Lombard, Morne Brandon, Angelo Davids, Nico Steyn, Rynhardt Jonker. Conversions - Sam Francis (3).