Toyota Cheetahs go top of Currie Cup log with bonus-point victory over Novavit Griffons

The Toyota Cheetahs overcame massive disruption to thump the NovaVit Griffons 33-10 (HT 21-3) in their rain-delayed Currie Cup encounter in Bloemfontein on Friday.

The match was scheduled to kick off at 19h05 but, after being pushed back by 10 minutes due to inclement weather and lightning, the Round-Eight fixture only kicked off at 21h30.

The Griffons opened the scoring at Free State Stadium with Robbie Petzer connecting a penalty in the 18th minute, before the Cheetahs scored two quick tries through Daniel Maartens and Tapiwa Mafura, with the Cheetahs fullback bagging his brace to help the hosts leap to a 21-3 lead at halftime.

The home side's lead became an even more comfortable one when Maartens crossed over again in the 50th minute (28-3), and while the Griffons stayed true to their never say die character and fought back hard for their sole try by fullback Duren Hoffman around the 60th minute, the Cheetahs had the last laugh and as they added further impact to their win with a fifth try two minutes from time.

The Griffons next travel to Mbombela to face the Airlink Pumas on Saturday, May 6, while the Cheetahs will host DHL Western Province in the later game.

Point-scorers:

Yellow cards: Sokuphumla Xakalashe, Doctor Booysen