Cheetahs thrill, shock Bulls

[Mike Stenson (RIP)]

Pretoria - The Free State Cheetahs shocked the Blue Bulls in a Currie Cup match at Loftus on Saturday when replacement flyhalf Sias Ebersohn slotted the winning conversion five minutes after normal time to give his side a 25-23 victory after trailing throughout.

This was the defending champions Bulls' second successive loss and especially costly as it was a home match - and it was only their third loss at home in more than two seasons.

Full marks must go to the Free State pack that stood their ground even when they were out-scrummed towards the end and for the continuity they showed when it mattered.

With the Blue Bulls up 23-15 and only four minutes remaining, it seemed all over when Ebersohn slotted a penalty and then converted the equalling try by replacement hooker Skipper Badenhorst from the touchline.

It was thrilling stuff - and very, very hard throughout as the two packs climbed into one another with hard hits marking the defence from both sides in what was easily the best Currie Cup match in the three rounds played so far.

[Michael Alexander]

Reckon there are a lot of bruised bodies out there this morning....... This was a high impact and brutal game, most enjoyable to watch and thriller right to the end, especially if you happened to be a devoted god and michele fearing cheetah fan.......