Griquas stun unbeaten Cheetahs in thrilling Currie Cup contest

Griquas claimed a hard-fought 24-21 victory over the Cheetahs in Kimberley on Friday night to hand the visitors their first defeat of the Currie Cup season.

The home side overcame an early setback and intense late pressure to secure a notable win in an entertaining match in which both teams showed their intention to attack from the opening whistle.

The Cheetahs made the stronger start after a series of penalties gave them repeated opportunities in the Griquas 22. They initially chose a maul, but tapped the next infringement and Simon Miller forced his way over from close range in the eighth minute. The conversion put the visitors 7-0 ahead.

Griquas absorbed further pressure before their forwards began to take control. Their scrum provided a strong platform and, after another dominant effort, hooker Tiaan Lange crossed following several more phases to level the game at 7-7 in the 21st minute.

The home team then moved in front six minutes from half-time. Griquas had sustained pressure for 14 phases before Carl Els appeared to have been held up over the line. He continued to fight and somehow managed to ground the ball. George Whitehead missed the conversion, leaving Griquas 12-7 ahead.

A moment of individual brilliance extended their advantage before the break. Bobby Alexander gathered a pinpoint cross-kick and accelerated away from the Cheetahs defence to score. The try was not converted, but Griquas went into half-time with a 17-7 lead.

The Cheetahs responded after the interval, although the opening stages of the second half were disrupted by penalties and stoppages. Their powerful maul eventually created a way back into the contest in the 51st minute, driving Griquas backwards for about 23 metres before replacement Marko Janse van Rensburg crossed. Cohen Jasper converted to reduce the deficit to 17-14.

Griquas restored their 10-point advantage in the 62nd minute. After patiently building another rolling maul, Lange broke away to score his second try of the match. Whitehead added the conversion to make it 24-14.

The Cheetahs continued to threaten and were helped by a yellow card for Faf de Klerk in the first half, while Griquas also received a late yellow card after the home side had repeatedly attacked the visitors’ line. De Klerk later returned to the field.

With eight minutes remaining, Prince Nkabinde cut through the Griquas defence to score a try that brought the Cheetahs back within three points. Jasper converted, setting up a tense finish at 24-21.

The visitors then pressed for an equalising score. They won a late penalty and repeatedly looked to use their maul, which had caused Griquas problems throughout the match. Griquas defended resolutely, however, and held their line under heavy pressure.

In the final exchanges, the home side regained possession and cleared upfield before the Cheetahs returned to the attack. Griquas won another crucial penalty from a scrum and eventually stole the ball at the death, taking it out to bring the match to an end.

Griquas finished with four tries through Lange, Els and Alexander, with Lange scoring twice. Whitehead converted twice. The Cheetahs’ tries came from Miller, Janse van Rensburg and Nkabinde, with Jasper adding three conversions.

Griquas 24 (17) Tries: Tiaan Lange (2), Carl Els, Bobby Alexander Conversions: George Whitehead (2)

Cheetahs 21 (7) Tries: Simon Miller, Marko Janse van Rensburg, Prince Nkabinde Conversions: Cohen Jasper (3)