Heartbreak and joy as Cheetahs qualify

The Toyota Cheetahs conceded a heartbreaking 87th-minute try to go down to French side Oyannax on Saturday, but the two bonus points they got from the clash will be enough to see them through to the Round of 16 of the EPCR Challenge Cup.

Leading 27-21 with two minutes to go, the Cheetahs were on defence for a full nine minutes with 14 men as they desperately tried to hold out for the win.

Eventually though, prop Adrien Bordenave went over to seal the win for Oyannax, who had lost all their games in the pool stages until then.

The Cheetahs played for a large part of the game with 14 men after Munier Hartzenberg was yellow carded for taking a player out in the air.

The TMO review upgraded the card to red though, handing the Cheetahs a massive setback.

There were two overturned tries for both sides and Ruan Pienaar also hit the posts with a drop goal in a drama filled game.

Pienaar was named man of the match after another masterful performance but couldn’t save his side at the death.

Hartzenberg had just recovered his breath after scoring his side’s opening try when the incident occurred.

Visitors @CheetahsRugby strike early 🙌

Watch the action unfold on @SuperSportTV, @FloRugby and https://t.co/cI5BzWKcGS 📺#ChallengeCupRugby pic.twitter.com/MKnwigGhwv

— EPCR Challenge Cup (@ChallengeCup_) January 20, 2024

In between hooker Marnus van der Merwe scored his first of two tries and Pienaar’s boot kept the Cheetahs ahead.

Pienaar added a try to his own tally as the Cheetahs led 22-14 at the break, but they were their own worst enemies at times as Daniel Kasende and Victor Sekekete both received yellow cards for their indiscretions.

Van der Merwe added his second try just after halftime and it looked as if the Cheetahs were going to cruise to the win, but the late flurry brought Oyannax back into the game, leading up to the heartbreak moment.

Scorers

Toyota Cheetahs - tries: Munier Hartzenberg, Marnus van der Merwe (2), Ruan Pienaar.  Conversions: Pienaar (2). Penalty: Pienaar

Oyannax - tries:  Loic Gadener,  Filimo Taofifenua, David Odiase, Adrien Bordenave. Conversions:  Domingo Miotti (2), Jules Soulan (2)