Champion Pumas outclass depleted Cheetahs in Currie Cup romp

Currie Cup champions, the Pumas, proved too strong for a depleted Cheetahs side in a one-side match on Friday as they ran out 61-21 winners in Bloemfontein as electric fullback Devon Williams bagged a hat-trick.

RECAP | Cheetahs v Pumas

With the Cheetahs playing a Challenge Cup clash away to Toulon on Saturday, a second-string home side struggled for much of the encounter.

By half-time, the Pumas had run up a 26-7 lead thanks to tries from Diego Appollis, Wian van Niekerk, Eduan Swart, and Llewellyn Classen, while Tinus de Beer slotted three conversions.

The Cheetahs' lone score came from Janus Venter, with Andell Loubser converting. 

The Pumas carried on where they left off in the second stanza, with further tries converted tries from Williams (3), de Beer, and Stefan Coetzee, 

The Cheetahs added to their tally through converted tries by Ruan Smith and Marcell Muller.

The victory sees the Pumas move to the top of the Currie Cup log, with four wins from four, while the loss is the first in four games for the Cheetahs. 

Scorers

Cheetahs 21 (7)

Tries: Janus Venter, Ruan Smit, Marcell Muller

Conversions: Andell Loubser (3)

Pumas 61 (26)

Tries: Diego Appollis, Wian van Niekerk, Eduan Swart, Llewellyn Classen, Devon Williams (3), Tinus de Beer, Stefan Coetzee

Conversions: Tinus de Beer (5), Brandon Thompson (3)