Brilliant Griquas stun previously unbeaten Cheetahs as Lions snap win-less streak

Griquas moved up to third in the Currie Cup standings after a convincing 46-18 bonus-point victory over the Cheetahs in Kimberley on Saturday.

The home team scored seven tries to three in a contest they dominated from start to finish.

The Peacock Blues raced into 19-0 lead in the opening 20 minutes thanks to three tries courtesy of centre Sango Xamlashe, scrumhalf Johan Mulder and hooker Janco Uys.

The visitors were on the scoreboard through a Ruan Pienaar but Griquas scored their bonus-point try in the first half with left-wing Luther Obi going over as the hosts took a commanding 24-3 lead.

The Cheetahs needed a boost before the halftime break and it came through a try by eighthman Mihlali Mosi but they were still 24-8 down at the interval.

The home side quickly put any thoughts of a Cheetahs comeback to bed early in the second half when Obi went over for his second try of the afternoon.

Replacement hooker Gustav du Rand went over for a try for Griquas after a powerful driving maul and the dominance of the hosts was on full show when they were then awarded a penalty try in the 69th minute when the hosts illegally stopped another maul.

Replacement forwards Jeandre Rudolph and Louis van der Westhuizen scored consolation tries for the Cheetahs either side of a George Whitehead penalty but the visitors know they were well beaten on the day.

It was the second-placed Cheetahs' first loss of the Currie Cup this season and could be seen as a wake-up call before the teams are known for the semifinals.

Point scorers:

Griquas - (24) 46

Tries: Sango Xamlashe, Johan Mulder, Janco Uys, Luther Obi (2), Gustav du Rand, Penalty try

Conversions: Zander Du Plessis (3)

Penalty: George Whitehead

Cheetahs - (8) 18

Tries: Mihlali Mosi, Jeandre Rudolph,