Super Rugby
Jaguares grab dramatic debut win
ESPN Staff
February 26, 2016
Report Match details
Date/Time: Feb 26, 2016, 19:00 local, 17:00 GMT
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Cheetahs 33 - 34 Jaguares
Attendance: 0  Half-time: 24 - 17
Tries: Small-Smith, van Jaarsveld, JF Venter, Penalty
Cons: Zeilinga 2
Pens: N Marais, Zeilinga 2
Tries: Baez, Creevy, Landajo 2
Cons: Sanchez 4
Pens: Sanchez
Drops: Sanchez
Martin Landajo of the Jaguares during the 2016 Super Rugby match between Toyota Cheetahs and Jaguares at Toyota Stadium on February 26, 2016 in Bloemfontein, South Africa. (Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
Jaguares' Martin Landajo looks for a way through the Cheetahs defence
© Gallo Images/Getty Images
Enlarge
Related Links
Tournaments/Tours: Super Rugby
Teams: Cheetahs | Jaguares

Argentina's new franchise the Jaguares overcame a terrible start to life in Super Rugby to grab a dramatic victory over the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

Becoming just the side side to win their debut match, and the first to win their debut away from home, the Jaguares will rue their cynical play that could have easily seen them return to Argentina empty handed.

The Cheetahs were fast on attack in the opening minutes and it was Francois Venter finding the line first after intercepting a Nicolas Sanchez pass to score a long-range try. The deficit quickly grew after Sanchez was found to cynically infringe at a breakdown and was quickly shown a yellow. Only seconds later scrum-half Martin Landajo was sin-binned after a TMO review showed his attempt to kick the ball out of Cheetahs hooker Torsten van Jaarsveld's hands before he could ground the ball for a try, had instead connected with his head.

The Cheetahs were quick to pounce on the advantage and scored another two tries within the 10-minute period to go ahead 24-3.

Cheetahs 33-34 Jaguares (Australia only)

But despite the lose of two players, the Jaguares quickly clawed their way back into the match, with their international outfit turning the game on it's head after Landjo and captain Augustin Creevy scored tries to bring the scores 24-17 heading into the break.

The Jaguares scored first after the break through Rodrigo Baez to bring the scores level. The Cheetahs quickly pulled away again with two penalties from Fred Zeilinga giving them a 30-24 advantage entering the final quarter, but Landajo crossed for his second try of the match and Nicolas Sanchez's conversion put the Jaguares ahead for the first time with 15 minutes to go.

A drop goal from Sanchez pulled the Jaguars four points clear and despite a 74th-minute penalty from Daniel Marais, the Argentine side held out for a thrilling one-point victory.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.