Cheetahs humiliate Ulster in Bloemfontein

PRO14 REPORT: An Anthony Volmink hat-trick helped the Cheetahs extend their imperious start to the Pro14 season as they eased to a ruthless 63-26 victory over Ulster in Bloemfontein.

Volmink was clinical in engineering the hosts’ triumph, with a Rhyno Smith double and tries from Joseph Dweba, Louis Fouche and Reinach Venter also toppling their out-gunned visitors.

And despite late efforts from James Hume, Dave Shanahan and Craig Gilroy, it was too little too late for Ulster, who succumbed to their first Pro14 defeat of the season.

The hosts came out of the blocks quickly, enjoying considerable territory and making their early pressure pay when Volmink went over for his maiden Cheetahs try.

Ulster’s rallying efforts were thwarted by an aggressive Cheetahs defence, who were soon able to enjoy a 14-point point lead after Volmink waltzed past several Ulster defenders to dot down once again.

The away side did get on the scoresheet through Sam Carter, but fullback Smith swiftly set about restoring Cheetahs’ seven-point advantage as he ripped through Ulster to go over for his third Pro14 try of the season.

The influential Dweba then scored just before half-time to wrap up the bonus point, before Cheetahs provided a further display of their Pro14 credentials in the second half through Volmink’s intercepted effort and another brilliant solo score by Smith.

Replacement Fouche then further extended their advantage, before tries from Ulster pairing Hume and Shanahan reduced the deficit in what was little more than a consolation.

And despite a bonus-point score from Gilroy, a Venter effort and a penalty try completed the rout to leave Cheetahs revelling in their 109 points from the first two matches.

The scorers:

For Cheetahs:
Tries: Volmink 3, Smith 2, Dweba, Fouche, Venter, Penalty Try
Cons: Pienaar 6, Schoeman 2

For Ulster: Carter, Hume, Shanahan, Gilroy
Cons: Cooney, Johnston 2

Yellow card: Joseph Dweba (Cheetahs, 63)

Teams:

Cheetahs: 15 Rhyno Smith, 14 William Small-Smith, 13 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 12 Dries Swanepoel, 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Ruan Pienaar (captain), 8 Henco Venter, 7 Junior Pokomela, 6 Gerhard Olivier, 5 Walt Steenkamp, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Erich de Jager, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Reinach Venter, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 JP du Preez, 20 Sias Koen, 21 Jasper Wiese, 22 Tian Meyer, 23 Louis Fouche.

Ulster: 15 Matt Faddes, 14 Craig Gilroy, 13 Luke Marshall, 12 James Hume, 11 Rob Lyttle, 10 Bill Johnston, 9 John Cooney, 8 Greg Jones 7 Sean Reidy, 6 Matthew Rea, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Kieran Treadwell, 3 Tom O’Toole, 2 Rob Herring (captain), 1 Jack McGrath
Replacements: 16 John Andrew, 17 Eric O’Sullivan, 18 Ross Kane, 19 Alan O’Connor, 20 Clive Ross, 21 David Shanahan, 22 Michael Lowry, 23 Louis Ludik.

@PRO14Official