It took The Cheetahs more than 30 minutes to pass the Leopards who took a early 10 point lead. After the initial 10 – 0 lead the Leopards conceded 8 tries and 60 unanswered points before they scored the last try of the match.

During those first 30 minutes the Leopards was well and truly in the match. They could have moved further ahead if Jean Tiedt kicked accurately. He missed 3 penalties  in that time, two very easy kicks badly hooked.

After JL Potgieter scored 2 penalties to bring the Cheetahs back into the game he was injured when scoring a try under the posts. He was unable to continue in the match and was replaced by Louis Strydom. The kicking duties went to Tewis de Bruyn who converted  5 tries from all corners, only missing the last when JP Joubert started warming up.

Before half time Ashley Johnson scored a try  to take the halftime score to 20-10.

From a rolling maul 5 minutes into the 2nd half  Hendro Scholtz scored the Cheetahs 3 rd try and within 6 minutes they secured their bonus point when Frans Viljoen scored the 4th try. With the match suddenly opening up, tighthead prop WP Nel got in on the act after 57 minutes followed by centre Meyer Bosman, Jongi Nokwe and captain Nico Breedt as the Leopards faded away badly after a bright start.

With 3 minutes left on the clock the Leopards scored a consolation try to take their match tally to 17 points. For 30 minutes it looked like a even match and the scrum battle was not dominated by either team. Both teams won tight heads but at the end the more fancied Cheetahs ran over a team who lacked concentration and steely determination.

Sadly the Leopards  struggle to play for 80 minutes, this time they played only 35 minutes.

Ashley Johnson confirmed his great potential with another good game.  Mapoe and Juries did not show their skills and Mapoe was well covered by Bom Samaai.

Points:

Cheetahs: Penalties- JL Potgieter  2 ,

Conversions- Tewis de Bruyn  5, Louis Strydom 2

Tries- JL Potgieter, Ashley Johnson, Hendro Scholtz, Frans Viljoen, WP Nel, Meyer Bosman,  Jongi Nokwe, Nico Breedt

Leopards: Penalty-  Jean Tiedt ,  Conversion- Jean Tiedt , Niell Jacobs

Try – Deon van Rensburg,  Danie Dames

Teams:

Free State Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Lionel Mapoe, 13 Corné Uys, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Fabian Juries, 10 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 9 Tewis de Bruyn, 8 Ashley Johnson, 7 Frans Viljoen, 6 Hendro Scholtz, 5 David de Villiers, 4 Nico Breedt (captain), 3 WP Nel, 2 Richardt Strauss, 1 Wian du Preez.
Replacements: 16 Coenie Oosthuizen, 17 Izak van der Westhuizen, 18 Lucas Floors, 19 JP Joubert, 20 Louis Strydom, 21 JW Jonker, 22 Jongi Nokwe.

Leopards: 15 Danie Dames, 14 Jovan Bowles, 13 Deon van Rensburg, 12 Berndt Theissinger, 11 Shuaib Samaai, 10 Cecil Dumont, 9 Jean Tiedt, 8 Riaan Swanepoel, 7 Bennie Adams, 6 André Swanepoel (captain), 5 Edrich Linde, 4 Bradley Mockford, 3 Barend van der Walt, 2 Marthinus van der Westhuizen, 1 Divan Kotze
Replacements: 16 Gavin Williamson, 17 Nardus Lombard, 18 Christo van Niekerk, 19 Wilhelm Koch, 20 Micheal Bondesio, 21 Niell Jacobs, 22 Nicky Kritzinger.

Referee: Mark Lawrence
Assistant referees: Archie Sehlako, Fakumile Yamile
TMO: Shaun Veldsman