Cheetahs' PRO14 experience comes in handy as they make statement win in rainy Durban

The Cheetahs must now surely be considered favourites for this year's Currie Cup title after they delivered a quintessential statement victory by defeating the Sharks 29-15 at King's Park on Wednesday evening.

Granted, that billing can be easily bandied about because they remain the only unbeaten team in the competition, but that would do the circumstances of this performance an injustice.

Known as a side that enjoys adopting a more open, attacking style of play, the Cheetahs were forced to re-think that approach after they were confronted with an incessant Durban shower.

However, any thoughts of that proving to be a hindrance were put to rest basically from the outset.

It's indeed important to remember that while the Cheetahs' ultimately final PRO14 encounter was back in March 2020, they possess a head coach and several stalwarts that have experience playing in Europe.

And that came in very handy in a game that mirrored those conditions.

Veteran half-back and captain Ruan Pienaar was a steady influence from the back of the scrum and could count on a wily team-mate in Frans Steyn, whose prodigious boot meant the Cheetahs easily won the tactical kicking battle.

Meanwhile, flanker Andisa Ntsila - a former Southern Kings star for several seasons - revelled and another grizzled "uncle" in Schalk Ferreira was authoritative at loosehead.

Vitally, however, it was fullback Clayton Blommetjies - a PRO14 veteran with the Cheetahs and Scarlets - who cleverly used his awareness to sum up the one moment where his team could launch a devastating counter-attack in treacherous conditions.

Following a poor kick, he ran purposefully to put wing Cohen Jasper into space on the outside.

The exciting youngster brilliantly galloped down the left before