Last gasp Cheetahs penalty denies Griquas a win in Bloemfontein

THE WINDHOEK Draught Griquas managed to restrain the table-topping Toyota Cheetahs in their Currie Cup clash at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Saturday, but couldn’t quite nail down the much-needed victory.

At the final whistle, the scores were locked at 29-29, but in the host’s favour with the Cheetahs earning a bonus point, outscoring Griquas four tries to two.

Veteran flyhalf Ruan Pienaar could have secured victory for his team, but his boot’s ‘GPS’ was malfunctioning early on; he missed a penalty in the second minute of the match, and a short while later failed to convert flanker Sibabalo Qoma’s try, giving the hosts a 5-0 lead, had he been on target the Cheetahs would have had 10 points on the scoreboard.

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Shortly afterwards, Griquas flyhalf Lubabalo Dobela showed how it’s done and slotted a penalty to cut the deficit to just two points. Then, showing their discipline and skill, Griquas had the Cheetahs defence scrambling until hooker Janco Uys dotted down, Dobela converted to put the visitors 5-10 ahead.

STALEMATE🤝@CheetahsRugby and @GriquasRugby fight to a draw after a close one Bloemfontein🔥#CurrieCup #WhereLegendsRise pic.twitter.com/2mK4pu3Ch4

— The Currie Cup (@TheCurrieCup) May 27, 2023

Dobela was on song and kicked another penalty to stretch the lead even more. But in the 26th minute, the Cheetahs produced what turned out to be the try of the match when fullback Tapiwa Mafura, joined the line putting in an excellent chip kick into space for wing Cohen Jasper to collect and score. Pienaar’s radar kicked in and the hosts regained their confidence with Griquas just one point in the lead.

As the Cheetahs grew in confidence, the Griquas grew more determined and their lead was extended with lock Dylan Sjoblom scoring a well-worked try after numerous phases from close. Again, Dobela made no mistake with the conversion.

George Whitehead then launched a missile, kicking a long-range penalty, to give Griquas some breathing space heading toward halftime 11 point ahead, but the Cheetahs had other ideas. Hooker Marnus van der Merwe scored from a strong driving maul; Pienaar converted, giving the hosts a 19-23 advantage at halftime.

Gideon van der Merwe scored the Cheetahs’ bonus point try early in the second half, again from a well-worked maul. Pienaar made no mistake this time, making it 26-23.

The metronomic Dobela levelled the scores at 26-26, and thereafter things tightened up, with the sides unable to breach their opponents’ defences for the next 15 minutes. As much as the Cheetahs attacked with flair and skill, a disciplined display of defence from Griquas kept them at bay.

With 10 minutes left in the match, Whitehead again sent a long penalty between the uprights, giving Griquas a 26-29 lead.

Griquas then desperately hung on, their determined defence holding firm and victory within reach, but in the 80th minute hearts sank as the Cheetahs won a kickable penalty.

Pienaar must have considered kicking for the corner and utilising the Cheetahs’ dependable driving maul, an option that had already produced three tries, but the hosts ultimately chose to go for the draw, his successful kick breaking the hearts of the Griquas and their faithful supporters.

CHEETAHS 29 (23) – Tries: Sibabalo Qoma, Cohen Jasper, Marnus van der Merwe, Gideon van der Merwe; Conversions: Ruan Pienaar (3); Penalty: Pienaar

GRIQUAS 29 (19) – Tries: Janco Uys, Dylan Sjoblom; Conversions: Lubabalo Dobela; Penalties: Dobela (3), George Whitehead (2)