Match Thread – Free State Cheetahs 20 v Golden Lions 16 (f/t)

Published 5 September 2009 | By Swanie

(Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein – 15.00, 13.00 GMT)

A bit of a see-saw ride for the two teams, after a horrible start for the Cheetahs they are suddenly one win away from the top four again.

The Lions have a coaching panel second to none it seems with the likes of Jake White lending a helping hand. The current log positions are: 

5.

Cheetahs

8

4

4

277

152

125

4

20

6.

Lions

8

4

4

181

164

17

4

20

Not a lot in it and for the winners a step closer to the final four and for the losers, well it will make the road to the final four so much harder, if not impossible.

Last week the Lions did a great job in putting one over the Bulls whilst the Cheetahs turned the tables on their cousins from the West.

White had the following to say about the Lions:

“We have dropped some league points along the way, but we are confident that we’ll reach the play-offs.”

“We know it is a tough road ahead, especially with some of the other teams still to get their Springboks back. But nothing is impossible,” he added.

Of course the Cheetahs are also talking up their play-off chances but this game will set the trend for the rest of the season

Both teams are missing players but the Cheetahs wins this hands down. For the Lions they include their captain Cobus Grobbelaar and suspended lock Willem Stoltz.

But check this list for the Cheetahs; Robert Ebersohn (ankle injury), Hendro Scholtz (head knock), Kabamba Floors (leg), Johan Wessels (ankle), Danwel Demas (ankle), Tewis de Bruyn, Meyer Bosman, Lionel Mapoe and Francois Uys.

I will close with this insightful comment from the coach…

“Saturday’s game against the Lions and the next week against Western Province are vital in terms of our season,” Drotské said. Yes well, what more can I add?

Teams:

Free State Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 JW Jonker, 13 Phillip Snyman, 12 Corné Uys, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 9 Jean-Pierre Joubert, 8 Ashley Johnson, 7 Frans Viljoen, 6 Johan Wessels, 5 David de Villiers, 4 Nico Breedt, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.

Replacements: 16 Richardt Strauss, 17 Wian du Preez, 18 Izak van der Westhuizen, 19 Chris Dry, 20 Tertius Carse, 21 Louis Strydom, 22 Lionel Mapoe.

Golden Lions: 15 Earl Lewis; 14 Dusty Noble, 13 Alwyn Hollenbach, 12 Pieter Engelbrecht, 11 Johan Jackson; 10 Herkie Kruger, 9 Jano Vermaak; 8 Willem Alberts (captain), 7 Franco Van der Merwe, 6 Derick Minnie, 5 Johan Snyman, 4 Nico Luus, 3 Gert Muller, 2 Hans van Dyk, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.

Replacements: 16 Derek Harwood, 17 Kevin Buys, 18 Wouter Moore, 19 Todd Clever, 20 Johan Van Deventer, 21 Doppies La Grange, 22 Ruan Boshoff.

Referee: Mark Lawrence

Assistant referees: Ben Crouse, Mandla Dakuse

TMO: Gerrie Coetzee

*********************

Cheetahs 20 (13)

Tries

  • WP Nel
  • Frans Viljoen

Conversions

  • Jacques-Louis Potgieter (2)

Penalties

  • Potgieter (2)

Lions 16 (6)

Tries

  • Derick Minnie

Conversions

  • Herkie Kruger

Penalties

  • Kruger (3)

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