Cheetahs put Griquas to the sword in Currie Cup opener

The Cheetahs opened their 2023 Currie Cup campaign with a commanding 42-19 win over Griquas at Griqua Park in Kimberley on Friday.

AS IT HAPPANED | Griquas v Cheetahs

The men from Bloemfontein ran in five tries to claim a bonus-point win.

The Cheetahs' participation in the European Challenge Cup no doubt mean they were far fresher than Griquas, who had thumped the Cheetahs 46-18 at this ground last season.

?? The Toyota Cheetahs are up and running in the 2023 #CurrieCup with an emphatic victory over last year’s finalist.??: Toyota Cheetahs pic.twitter.com/KzNngAeQMY

Veteran Springboks Ruan Pienaar and Frans Steyn were back in the Cheetahs' starting XV after recovering from injuries, with both players making a significant impact.

Pienaar, who turned 39 years old on Friday, was on song with the boot and contributed 17 points via four conversions and three penalties.

The Cheetahs were far too strong for Griquas up front, with four of their tries coming from the forwards who put pressure on Griquas close to the tryline. Hooker Marnus van der Merwe, flank Gideon van der Merwe, No 8 Jeandre Rudolph, and flank Friedle Olivier all crossed the whitewash, while speedster Daniel Kasende also dotted down.

Griquas trailed 22-0 at half-time but will take heart from an improved second half in which they scored three tries through replacement hooker Gustav du Rand (2) and winger Luther Obi.

The hosts almost bagged a bonus-point try at the death but scrambling Cheetahs defence kept them at bay.

Scorers:

Griquas 19 (0)

Try: Gustav du Rand (2), Luther Obi

Conversion: Lubabalo Dobela (2)

Cheetahs 42 (22)

Tries: Marnus van der Merwe, Gideon van der Merwe, Jeandre Rudolph, Friedle Olivier, Daniel Kasende

Conversions: Pienaar (4)

Penalties: Pienaar (3)

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