File Picture: Danie van der Lith
The Suzuki Griquas dealt a significant blow to the Toyota Cheetahs' play-off aspirations in their central union Currie Cup derby with a commanding performance at the Suzuki Stadium in Kimberley on Friday, crossing the line seven times for a 44-31 bonus-point victory.
Griquas led 17-10 at halftime and extended their advantage in the second half. Despite a last-minute try from Munier Hartzenberg that secured the Cheetahs a four-try bonus point, the defending champions now face a tough challenge to reach the play-offs.
“The Griquas ran in seven tries to the four of the Cheetahs for what was their third win of the campaign.” https://t.co/blmUM722TF pic.twitter.com/XMGb3gwrZp
— OFM Sport (@OFMSport) August 31, 2024
With this loss, the Cheetahs hold fourth place with 25 points, just one point behind the Sharks XV and a single point ahead of the Pumas, who play Western Province in Stellenbosch on Sunday.
Griquas, now in sixth place with 19 points, will by all appearances miss out on the semi-finals. The Griquas have one game in hand of which they will play next week against Western Province but their fate to proceed to the next round lies on results elsewhere this weekend.
The Cheetahs, meanwhile, will hope WP do them a favour on Sunday and the Airlink Pumas so that when the Cheetahs and Pumas meet in the final round the Bloemfontein side can have an advantage in the points column in the standing.
SCORERS
Suzuki Griquas: Tries - Zane Bester, Dandre Delport, Lubabalo Dobela, Marco de Witt, Gustav du Rand, Connor Mahoney, Bobby Alexander, Conversions - Lubabalo Dobela(1), Thomas Bursey (1), Zenedine Robinson (2), Penalty - Lubabalo Dobela (1)
Toyota Cheetahs XV: Tries - Daniel Kasande, Ethan Wentzel, Ali Mgijima, Munier Hutzenburg, Conversions - Ethan Wentzel (3), Penalty - Ethan Wentzel (1)
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