Faf de Klerk masterclass inspires Cheetahs to emphatic Currie Cup win over Sharks

Veteran scrum-half Faf de Klerk produced a commanding all-round display as the Cheetahs overpowered the Sharks 43-21 in Bloemfontein to claim a bonus-point Currie Cup victory and their second win of the season.

De Klerk scored twice, set up two more tries and controlled the tempo throughout on Friday night, while winger Prince Nkabinde finished with a hat-trick as Frans Steyn’s side pulled clear in the final quarter at a noisy Free State Stadium.

The Cheetahs led 14-7 and then 14-14 in an open first half, but blew the game open after the interval with five tries in total, outscoring the Sharks 29-7 in the second period despite coming under heavy pressure at scrum time.

Fast start sets tone in Bloemfontein

The hosts struck almost immediately. In the third minute De Klerk spotted space behind the Sharks’ defensive line and chipped cleverly over the top, with Nkabinde winning the race to the ball for the opening try, converted by Jaco van der Walt for a 7-0 lead.

The Sharks hit back six minutes later from their first fluent attack. Quick ball to the right and sharp offloading in midfield freed Janco Purchase, the centre cutting through to score under the posts. Tim Swiel added the extras to level at 7-7.

De Klerk then sparked the Cheetahs’ second. After a break from right-wing Michael Annies took play close to the Sharks’ line, the scrum-half darted from the base of a ruck to sneak over in the 13th minute, Van der Walt converting for 14-7.

The visitors looked to their maul to respond and, after being held up over the line twice – including flanker Danilo Botha being stopped just short – they eventually forced their way back into the contest. In the 25th minute prop Simphiwe Ngobese powered over from close range, Swiel’s conversion bringing the scores to 14-14.

The Sharks began to turn the screw at scrum time towards the end of the half, earning penalties and territory, but the Cheetahs’ defence held firm, aided by important breakdown work from hooker Marko Janse van Rensburg. Neither side could find another score and the teams went into the break level.

De Klerk drives Cheetahs surge

The Cheetahs opened the second half as briskly as they had started the first, with De Klerk again central. Spotting an opportunity from a free-kick, he tapped quickly and attacked retreating Sharks defenders, eventually earning a penalty that set the tone for the next period.

Moments later, from another quick tap in the 44th minute, De Klerk released flanker Juan Venter into space. Venter sprinted clear of the cover to score, though Van der Walt missed the conversion, leaving the Cheetahs 19-14 ahead.

The Sharks then enjoyed their best spell. Their scrum dominance brought further penalties and, despite an overthrow at a line-out that handed the Cheetahs relief, the Durban side continued to press. In the 49th minute, centre Marnus Potgieter collected a pass, brushed off a defender and carried several more over the line for a converted try that gave the visitors a 21-19 lead.

A yellow card against the Cheetahs for head contact shortly afterwards appeared to tilt the momentum further towards the Sharks. However, the home defence produced a crucial turnover inside their own 22 to survive that passage and swing play back upfield.

Nkabinde hat-trick seals bonus-point win

Once restored to 15 men, the Cheetahs reasserted control through territory and ball-in-hand pressure. Slick handling in midfield in the 52nd minute gave Nkabinde just enough space on the left, and the winger showed his pace to finish in the corner for his second try and a 24-21 advantage, although the conversion was missed.

From there, the hosts tightened their grip. De Klerk continued to probe around the fringes, winning a key penalty by running at slowly retreating Sharks forwards after a quick free-kick, and Van der Walt’s kicking pinned the visitors back.

Sustained pressure told in the 65th minute. A penalty allowed the Cheetahs to set a line-out five metres from the Sharks’ line, and when the ball was worked wide, Nkabinde crossed again to complete his hat-trick. The unconverted try stretched the lead to 29-21.

The Sharks, needing a score to stay in touch, spent time hammering away inside the Cheetahs’ 22 with 10 minutes to go, but a knock-on ended that attack and with it their realistic hopes.

In the closing stages the Cheetahs turned defence into ruthless counter-attack. After a sweeping move from deep, replacement forward Daniel Maartens smashed over from close range in the 77th minute, Van der Walt converting to make it 36-21 and effectively settle the contest.

Two minutes later De Klerk capped his outstanding performance with a second try, intercepting a pass and racing 50 metres to the line. Van der Walt’s fourth conversion took the Cheetahs past 40 points and wrapped up a comprehensive 43-21 success.

Match summary

Cheetahs 43 (14) Tries: Prince Nkabinde (3), Faf de Klerk (2), Juan Venter, Daniel Maartens Conversions: Jaco van der Walt (4)

Sharks 21 (14) Tries: Janco Purchase, Simphiwe Ngobese, Marnus Potgieter Conversions: Tim Swiel (3)

The result delivers a maximum haul for Steyn’s side and underlines the influence of De Klerk and Nkabinde as the Cheetahs continue their Currie Cup campaign, while the Sharks are left to reflect on a dominant scrum but missed opportunities in open play and on the scoreboard.