Currie Cup result: Cheetahs claw Lions in Ellis Park card-fest
The Cheetahs put more than 50 points on a weakened Lions side in their Currie Cup Premier Division clash at Ellis Park on Sunday.
The Cheetahs put more than 50 points on a weakened Lions side in their Currie Cup Premier Division clash at Ellis Park on Sunday.
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The Lions opened the scoring within a minute of the opening whistle, but the Cheetahs responded with a try five minutes later.
The visitors then extended their lead with another converted try before a card-fest changed the complexion of the match.
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In the space of 15 minutes, Cheetahs scrumhalf and captain Ruan Pienaar was yellow-carded, followed by a yellow for Lions No 9 Julrich Claasens.
Lions lock Raynard Roets then saw red just before half-time.
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While the half-time score – 19-10 to the Cheetahs – reflected a contest, a young Lions side missing several players on duty in the Challenge Cup, was unable to recover from the red card.
They conceded five tries in the second half while managing only one themselves.
Ruan Pienaar’s precise boot and a hat-trick from fullback Tapiwa Mafura saw the Cheetahs finish the match as emphatic victors, with a final score of 52-15.
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CURRIE CUP WEEKEND RESULTS:
Lions 15-52 Cheetahs
Western Province 47-28 Griffons
Sharks 19-12 Pumas
Bulls 40-3 Griquas