Second-half slide sees Falcons fall to Cheetahs

A dominant second half gave the Cheetahs a 53-25 Toyota Challenge win over the USA Falcons in Bloemfontein on Friday. The visitors held a 20-17 lead at the intermission, but then slipped away to concede 29 unanswered points to their South African hosts.

Early tries to Cohen Jasper and Sibabalo Qoma had the Cheetahs ahead by double digits, but the Falcons responded with two tries of their own via Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz and Christian Dyer. Luke Carty converted both to nudge the USA ahead.

Carty’s first penalty goal stretched the lead slightly but the scores were leveled when Munier Hartzenburg crossed two minutes before halftime. There was just time enough for Carty to get within striking distance for a second three-pointer that gave the visitors the advantage after 40 minutes.

Ruan Pienaar came into the game at halftime and the tables quickly turned. The former Springbok kicked a penalty goal and took control of his pack, with Marko Janse van Rensburg crossing for a double. Jeandré Rudolph and Rosko Specman added singles as the Falcons saw their hopes of victory evaporate.

With time winding down Tavite Lopeti grabbed a consolation effort, but a response came from Cheetahs captain Victor Sekekete on the stroke of full-time. The USA will wrap up their tour next weekend against the Pumas, also in Bloemfontein.

 

SCORING

CHEETAHS 53
Tries – C. Jasper (10′), S. Qoma (14′), M. Hartzenburg (38′), M. Janse van Rensburg 2 (47′, 52′), J. Rudolph (57′), R. Specman (60′), V. Sekekete (80′)
Cons – F. Steyn (11′), R. Pienaar 4 (48′, 53′, 58′, 80’+1′)
Pens – R. Pienaar (43′)

FALCONS 25
Tries – J. Fa’anana-Schultz (20′), C. Dyer (24′), T. Lopeti (76′)
Cons – L. Carty 2 (21′, 25′)
Pens – L. Carty 2 (34′, 40′)

 

TEAMS

CHEETAHS
1 Schalk Ferreira, 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 3 Conraad van Vuuren, 4 Rynier Bernardo, 5 Victor Sekekete (capt.), 6 Marnus van der Merwe, 7 Sibabalo Qoma, 8 Oupa Mohojé, 9 Branden de Kock, 10 George Lourens, 11 Rosko Specman, 12 Frans Steyn, 13 Evardi Boshoff, 14 Munier Hartzenburg, 15 Cohen Jasper

Replacements: 16 Janus Venter, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Jean Droste, 20 Jeandré Rudolph, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 Reinhardt Fortuin, 23 Robert Ebersohn

USA FALCONS
1 Jack Iscaro, 2 Dylan Fawsitt, 3 Paul Mullen, 4 Keni Nasoqeqe, 5 Nick Civetta, 6 Vili Helu, 7 Cory Daniel, 8 Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz, 9 Nate Augspurger, 10 Luke Carty, 11 Christian Dyer, 12 Paul Lasike, 13 Bryce Campbell (capt.), 14 Mitch Wilson, 15 Marcel Brache

Replacements: 16 Kaleb Geiger, 17 Chance Wenglewski, 18 Angus MacLellan, 19 Siaosi Mahoni, 20 Cam Dolan, 21 Duncan van Schalkwyk, 22 Tavite Lopeti, 23 Chris Mattina

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys (South Africa)
Assistants: Paul Mente (South Africa) & Christopher Alison (South Africa)
TMO: Ben Crouse (South Africa)