The Fidelity ADT Lions kept up the pressure on the Vodacom Blue Bulls on Saturday, outclassing a game Toyota Cheetahs side 38-21 to keep pace with the Pretoria side as the Carling Currie Cup heads to the business end of the tournament.
The Lions are in second spot, just three points behind the unbeaten Bulls, and will face them this coming weekend full of confidence after outscoring the Cheetahs six tries to three in an open and entertaining game.
The Lions were full value for their win, grabbing a bonus point within the first half hour and leading 26-0 before they allowed the Cheetahs to come back at them late in the first half and early in the second, but two exceptional cross-kicks by Rynhardt Jonker led to tries and kept them too far ahead of the Cheetahs to be caught.
The Cheetahs now have cause to be concerned as they could fall behind the Airlink Pumas, who play on Sunday as the dogfight for playoff places continues.
The Fidelity ADT Lions grab the win in Bloemfontein after a tough battle against the Free State Cheetahs 👏 #CarlingCurrieCup pic.twitter.com/AAMJCiwamf
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) August 24, 2024
Impressive flanker Renzo du Plessis scored a brace of tries, while Morne Brandon was also impressive in the Lions’ surge.
For the Cheetahs Daniel Kasende was always a handful while Oupa Mohoje turned back the clock for an inspired performance.
LIONS PACK ON FIRE
The Lions opened the scoring through Du Plessis, who scored from close range early on to put his side ahead.
The Lions pack was on fire as Ruben Schoeman went over shortly afterwards.
The Cheetahs were lucky to escape with just a yellow card for Ethan Wentzel, who was pinned for a deliberate knock down as the Lions had a two on one overlap and could have scored.
After his departure, they had no answer as Jaco Visagie picked up from the base after the lineout maul was stopped to score try No 3 for his side.
Kasende then joined his teammate on the sidelines after a high tackle on Rabz Maxwane, and with a two man advantage, Jonker’s cross kick easily found Maxwane, who strolled over to score.
Rynhardt Jonker's crosskick to Rabs Maxwane was just superb 👏#CarlingCurrieCup pic.twitter.com/s3QFL5THbt
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) August 24, 2024
The Cheetahs finally made it onto the board, despite their numerical disadvantage, when sustained pressure saw Corne Fourie dot down from close range.
They followed that up with a blistering try early in the second half that saw Kasende go over and reduce the deficit to 12 points, but another perfect cross kick bounced horribly for the Cheetahs defence and saw Du Plessis go over for his second try, effectively ending the Cheetahs' challenge.
Vernon Paulo emerged onto the field and did his trademark lineout maul try to give the home side some hope, but it was to be Kade Wolhuter with a solo run that would finish off the victory and give the Lions some valuable points away from home.
SCORERS
TOYOTA CHEETAHS - tries: Corne Fourie, Daniel Kassende, Vernon Paulo. Conversions: Ethan Wentzel (2), Rynhardt Fortuin
FIDELITY ADT LIONS - tries: Renzo du Plessis (2), Ruben Schoeman, Jaco Visagie, Rabz Maxwane, Kade Wolhuter. Conversions: Wolhuter (4)