Bottom side Cheetahs pulled off a huge upset as they defeated the table-topping Sharks 31-6 in an entertaining derby.
Basement side upset league leaders in Super 14 shock
The last-placed Cheetahs pulled off a shock result against the table-topping Sharks on Saturday, beating their South African neighbours 31-6 in an entertaining derby encounter in Bloemfontein.
In what truly was the upset of the tournament so far, the Cheetahs - complete underdogs heading into this match - outplayed, outclassed and outscored the Sharks in all facets of play. They were outstanding in defence as well as attack, scoring four tries to nill.
It was a case of better late than never for the Cheetahs, who up until now failed to record a single win in this year's competition but the victory does nothing to the table - the Sharks remain top, while the Cheetahs stay stranded at the bottom.
Credit to the Cheetahs though, they certainly had their best game of the season by a long way, while the Sharks had no answer for the hosts' determination from start to finish as the locals were finally given something to cheer about.
The victory ended a twelve-match losing streak for the Cheetahs that stretched back to the April 12, 2008 - almost a year to the day. It was also the first time in the 2009 season that the Cheetahs claimed a bonus point for scoring four tries.
Scrap
The Cheetahs were up for a scrap and playing the table-leaders demanded a lift in their standards. Playing the probable wooden-spoonists, the Sharks slacked off. It was game-costing and, like the shock loss to the Reds (second-last) in Brisbane, should serve as a wake-up call for the tournament favourites.
It started fairly even with both sides putting together several phases on attack in the first 20 minutes, but then kept each other out with bone-crunching defence.
The first points went to the Sharks in the 16th minute when the Cheetahs were blown up for an offence in the tackle area and scrum-half Rory Kockott kicked the ensuing penalty.
The scale had to swing one way, but not many would have predicted the Cheetahs to take the initiative.
The hosts struck back via fly-half Jacques-Louis Potgieter, who exploited the Sharks' slack defence to cut the line. The Cheetahs' pivot then found Jongi Nokwe on the outside to complete the score.
Potgieters' touchline conversion put the Cheetahs 7-3 up. Soon after the Sharks nearly scored through Stefan Terblanche, but again the Cheetahs' defence was up to the task.
Pressure
The Cheetahs applied the most pressure for the rest of the half, stealing line-out ball and holding onto possesion. The Sharks gave away another unnecessary penalty shortly before half-time when a Cheetahs player chasing a kick was held back.
Potgieter was spot on again and the Cheetahs led 10-3 at the break.
Shortly after half-time, the home side nearly stretched their lead after a good counter-attack from Hennie Daniller ended with the Cheetahs full-back flying into touch after a big hit by John Smit.
The Sharks were now eager to get going, and Kockott slotted his second penalty after 46 minutes. He hit the upright with another attempt soon after.
But in the visitors' over-eagerness they lost possession whilst on attack to the Cheetahs' Wayne Van Heerden, who offloaded to Heinrich Brüssow - the latter setting off on a strong run. Outside him was Nokwe once more, who sped away from Ryan Kankowski on cross defence to score his brace.
Kankowski chased well, but it was like a leopard chasing a cheetah - an interesting contest, but a predictable one nevertheless.
The Cheetahs had another speedster on the other wing in Bjorn Basson, who was a late replacement for the injured Danwel Demas. Basson also put on a good show and was next to score when he got the ball in space after an attacking scrum on the Sharks' 22.
The Sharks just couldn't get switched on and were also getting smashed at the breakdowns from Brüssow and company. Cheetahs' coach Naka Drotské brought on fresh legs and to the disbelief of the local crowd, the Sharks were starting to fall off tackles.
Replacement Kabamba Floors was the beneficiary of more bad tackling as he tip-toed and dummied through the Sharks' defence with ten minutes to go. Game, set and match to the Cheetahs.
