Nel's four-try blitz earns Cheetahs' victory over Pumas

MATCH REPORT: The Cheetahs redeemed themselves in their second round Currie Cup outing against the Pumas with a convincing 42-25 victory in Bloemfontein on Friday.

Scrumhalf Jandre Nel had a big night, crossing the whitewash four times, just like he did in the SA Cup against the Leopards.

It took 15 minutes before the first points were scored, and it came after a Puma scrum in their own 22.

They won a penalty and opted to kick for touch, and from the line-out it was one-way traffic to the tryline for scrumhalf Ross Braude.

The unconverted try saw the visitors take an early lead.

The Cheethas, however, didn’t wait long to hit back as Jandre Nel, also with the No. 9 on his back, finished off under the uprights.

Tiaan Swanepoel converted, and the Cheetahs were in the lead 7-5 after 20 minutes of action.

But then the Pumas were back in front after a successful penalty kick by Danrich Visagie.

Nel grabbed his second try a few minutes later, converted by Swanepoel, and the homeside was back in front, leading by 14-8.

After an initial slow start, the game suddenly sprang to life in front of a sparse crowd on a cold Bloemfontein evening.

Scrumhalf Nel was not done, and after half an hour, he scored his third try as the Cheetah’s backline kicked into gear.

Swanepoel converted, and the Cheetahs stretched their lead to 21-8.

And then the fifth try was scored by another scrumhalf – this time it was Braude’s turn again, grabbing his second as he sneaked through the big Cheetah forwards.

The conversion went awry, making the contest an eight-point game.

The first half, lasting 45 minutes, saw the Cheetahs launch attack after attack, not opting to kick it out for the start of halftime.

A tired-looking Pumas side received three offside penalties, resulting in a scrum five metres from their tryline.

A massive scrum was followed up by a try to Neels Volschenk, their fourth of the night.

At halftime, the homeside was leading 28-13.

The Cheetahs started the second half intent on running and putting the Pumas on the back foot.

James Verity-Amm kicked a 50/22 as he spotted space behind the Pumas defensive line.

An attacking line-out for the Cheetahs saw the hosts set up camp in the Pumas’ 22.

But great work by the visitors that turned over possession for a little breather, but Visagie couldn’t find touch.

The Cheetahs sent the ball coast to coast, desperate to get over the advantage line.

Eventually, CJ Coetzee straightened, ran strongly, and scored his side’s fifth try.

Swanepoel split the uprights to stretch their lead to 35-13.

The Pumas were not done yet, and a superb team try followed, with centre Sango Xamlashle finishing it off in style.

Visagie struggled with his goalkicking, missing all of his conversion attempts, leaving the Pumas trailing by 18-35 after an hour of play.

Tenacious defence by the visitors kept the Cheetahs at bay, but the homeside, spurred on by the replacements, were steadfast in applying pressure.

The Pumas threw everything at the Cheetahs as they headed into the last quarter, and were rewarded with their fourth try when Wian van Niekerk dotted down.

With three minutes left on the clock, it was Cheetahs 35-25 Pumas.

To seal their victory in style, Nel scored his fourth try of the night after a great little snipe from behind a ruck.

Jasper Cohen converted to seal the deal for the Cheetahs.

Man of the Match: Jandre Nel, for scoring four tries, but also for his quick service behind the scrums and rucks and keeping his side moving forward.

Scorers:

For Cheetahs:
Tries: Nel 4, Volschenk, Coetzee
Cons: Swanepoel 5, Cohen

For Pumas:
Tries: Braude 2, Xamlashle, Van Niekerk
Cons: Visagie
Pens: Visagie

Teams

Cheetahs: 15 James Verity-Amm, 14 Banie Britz, 13 Marco Janse van Vuuren, 12 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 11 Cohen Jasper, 10 Tiaan Swanepoel, 9 Jandre Nel, 8 Neels Volschenk, 7 Gideon van der Merwe, 6 Sasko Ndlovu , 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Pierre Uys Vuuren, 3 Frankie Dos Reis, 2 Vernon Paulo, 1 Cameron Dawson
Replacements: 16 Louis van der Westhuizen , 17 Hencus van Wyk, 18 Aranos Coetzee, 19 Sisonke Vumazonke, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Rewan Kruger, 22 Franco Smith, 23 Clayton Blommetjies.

Pumas: 15 Tino Swanepoel, 14 Lindi Msenge, 13 Sango Xamlashle, 12 Wian van Niekerk, 11 Darren Adonis, 10 Danrich Visagie, 9 Ross Braude (vice-captain), 8 Willie Engelbrecht (captain), 7 Kwanda Dimaza, 6 Ntsika Fisante, 5 Jeandré Leonard, 4 Heinz Bertram, 3 Sampie Swiegers, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Etienne Janeke
Replacements: 16 Darnell Osuagwau, 17 Stephan de Jager, 18 Dewald Maritz, 19 JJ Scheepers, 20 Andre Fouché, 21 Ruwald van der Merwe, 22 Russwell Fredericks, 23 Stefan Coetzee

Referee: Hanru van Rooyen (South Africa)
Assistant referees: AJ Jacobs (South Africa), Daniel Canhenga (South Africa)
TMO: Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa)