Super Rugby
Four-try Cheetahs shock sloppy Sharks
February 15, 2015
Report Match details
Date/Time: Feb 14, 2015, 17:05 local, 15:05 GMT
Venue: Kings Park Stadium, Durban
Sharks 29 - 35 Cheetahs
Half-time: 16 - 20
Tries: Lambie, Mvovo
Cons: Lambie 2
Pens: Lambie 5
Tries: Cook, Prinsloo, Venter, Wegner
Cons: du Plessis, Pietersen 2
Pens: Pietersen 3
Boom Prinsloo of the Cheetahs crashes over for a try, Sharks v Cheetahs, Super Rugby, Kings Park, Durban, February 14, 2015
Boom Prinsloo dives over for a try
© Getty Images
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The Cheetahs shocked the careless Sharks in the first South African derby of the Super Rugby season, collecting a bonus point at Kings Park. The Sharks went close to snatching victory as time ticked toward the 80-minute mark, with Marcel Coetzee believing he had scored a try, but big-screen replays showed he had lost the ball forward.

The home team - considered the strongest South African contenders this year - had another chance only to be dispossessed within sight of the tryline. The Cheetahs then brought play into the Sharks' half, and that is where a game played in muggy conditions ended as a loose ball was snapped up and booted into touch by huge prop Coenie Oosthuizen.

Flanker Jean Cook, centre Francois Venter and replacement forwards Boom Prinsloo and Carl Wegner scored a try each for the Bloemfontein-based team, who led 20-16 at half-time. New fly-half Joe Pietersen kicked three penalties and two conversions and his replacement, Willie du Plessis, one conversion. Sharks fly-half Patrick Lambie scored a try and slotted two conversions and five penalties for a 24-point total and left-wing Lwazi Mvovo was the other try scorer.

Considered likely whipping boys after losing skipper Adriaan Strauss and fellow forwards Trevor Nyakane and Lappies Labuschagne to Northern Bulls, the Cheetahs were worthy winners. Pietersen, operating as playmaker for the first time since 2009, displayed calm authority and missed only one shot at goal in a 13-point contribution.

Sharks 29-35 Cheetahs (Australia only)

Loose-head prop Danie Mienie was not overawed at scrumming against Springboks star Jannie du Plessis, forcing the veteran to concede several penalties. And loose forward Prinsloo proved an inspired substitution, coming off the bench and almost immediately scoring the pushover try that gave Cheetahs breathing space.

Victory was achieved, despite the loss only 10 minutes into the first half of lock Lood de Jager with a suspected broken elbow - a major blow to a side lacking strength in depth.

© AAP

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