The Cheetahs hosted the Waratahs in Kimberley which is where the “big hole” is in South Africa. On the subject of big holes, it is exactly what it looked like the Waratahs were getting themselves into in temperatures of 34 degrees.
The Waratahs went 17-3 down and it looked ominous for the touring side. Instead the Waratahs fought back at the death of the first half getting themselves back into the match with two tries bringing the the half time score to Cheetahs 22 Waratahs 17.
The second half was a better defensive effort for the Waratahs. They heat got to them a little but still the Waratahs pushed on for the win.
Hewat slotted a huge penalty and a conversion but missed a crucial penalty kick four minutes from time which would have seen the Waratahs pull to within a point of the Cheetahs.
Full time score – Cheetahs 30 Waratahs 26
Scorers
Cheetahs –
Tries: Ronnie Cooke, Juan Smith, Eddie Fredericks (2).
Conversions: Meyer Bosman (2).
Penalty: Bosman.
Drop goal: Herkie Kruger.
Waratahs –
Tries: Kurtley Beale, Ben Jacobs.
Conversions: Peter Hewat (2).
Penalties: Hewat (4).
Teams:
Cheetahs:
15 Phillip Burger, 14 Eddie Fredericks, 13 Marius Joubert, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Ronnie Cooke, 10 Herkie Kruger, 9 Falie Oelschig, 8 Darren Nell, 7 Juan Smith Juan (c), 6 Kabamba Floors, 5 Corniel van Zyl, 4 Bian Vermaak, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Wiaan du Preez
Replacements: 16 Richard Strauss, 17 CJ van der Linde, 18 Henro Scholtz, 19 Ryno van der Merwe, 20 Michael Claassens, 21 Gavin Passens, 22 Tiger Mangweni
Waratahs squad:
Forwards: Al Baxter, Will Caldwell, Tim Davidson, Rocky Elsom, Adam Freier, Ben Hand, Dean Mumm, Wycliff Palu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson, Jeremy Tilse, Phil Waugh.
Backs: Kurtley Beale, Daniel Halangahu, Sam Harris, Peter Hewat, Ben Jacobs, Sam Norton-Knight, Brett Sheehan, Lote Tuqiri, Morgan Turinui, Josh Valentine
Referee: Lyndon Bray (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Vinny Munro (New Zealand), Pro Legoete (South Africa)
Television match official: Deon van Blommestein (South Africa)
