The Toyota Cheetahs, despite being down to 13 men late in the game, overcame DHL Western Province with a 31-24 (halftime 12-10) bonus-point victory in the Carling Currie Cup at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Saturday afternoon.
Coming into the match, the Cheetahs were third on the log, buoyed by consecutive wins over the Sharks and Pumas. In contrast, Western Province were languishing at the bottom, winless and pointless after three rounds. Despite their poor form, the visitors showed tremendous fight, especially in the second half.
The Cheetahs started brightly, dominating possession and territory. Their attacking intent paid off early when left-wing Cohen Jasper finished off a slick move in the corner, converting his own try to give the hosts a 7–0 lead. Western Province responded with a penalty from flyhalf Jurie Matthee, narrowing the gap to 7–3.
📷Full-Time | Toyota Cheetahs 31-24 Western Province#CHEvWP#CheetahRugby #CheetahFamily #LegendaryToughness #fastfearless #Toyotacheetahs @ToyotaSA pic.twitter.com/vErI0rAL3C
— Toyota Cheetahs (@CheetahsRugby) August 16, 2025
Flanker Mihlali Mosi extended the Cheetahs' lead with a powerful finish after a clever chip from wing Barnie Britz, though Jasper missed the conversion. Western Province struck back just before halftime with a well-worked try from right wing Shilton van Wyk, converted by Matthee, bringing the score to 12–10 at the break.
The second half began with the Cheetahs still down to 14 men following a yellow card to centre Marco Jansen van Vuren for a deliberate knockdown. Despite the numerical disadvantage, they struck first through Britz, who finished off a quick tap move initiated by scrumhalf Rewan Kruger. Jasper missed the conversion again, but the Cheetahs led 17–10.
CHEETAHS BUILD MOMENTUM
Momentum swung further in the Cheetahs' favour when lock Juan Venter powered over for the bonus-point try, converted by Jasper to make it 24–10. The hosts then produced a stunning counter-attacking try, with Jasper, fullback James Verity-Amm, and No 8 Neels Volshenk combining brilliantly to stretch the lead to 31–10.
Western Province, however, refused to lie down. Tristan Leyds, who moved to flyhalf, injected urgency into their attack. Jared Africa finished off a sweeping move to score in the corner, and Leyds added the extras to make it 31–17. A dominant maul saw Enos Ndiao crash over, and another successful conversion brought the visitors within seven points.
Drama unfolded late as Jansen van Vuren received a second yellow card, making it red, reducing the Cheetahs to 14 men again. Western Province surged forward, and replacement scrumhalf Ezekiel Ngobeni appeared to score a sensational solo try, only for the TMO to rule a knock-on. They retained possession through a penalty but squandered the opportunity with another handling error near the line.
Despite finishing with 13 men after a third yellow card, this time to replacement hooker Marco Janse van Rensburg, the Cheetahs held firm. Western Province had one final chance from a lineout deep in Cheetahs territory, but a misfire handed possession back to the hosts, who knocked the ball out to seal the win.
The Cheetahs claimed a full five points, while Western Province earned their first point of the season for a narrow defeat. It was a match full of flair, missed chances, and late drama—an advert for the excitement of Currie Cup rugby.
Scorers
Toyota Cheetahs - Tries: Cohen Jasper, Mihlali Mosi, Barnie Britz, Juan Venter, Neels Volschenk; Conversions: Jasper (3).
DHL Western Province - Tries: Shilton van Wyk, Jared Africa, Enos Ndiao; Conversions: Jurie Matthee, Tristan Leyds (2); Penalty: Matthee.