Cheetahs dominating hapless highlanders

 Yes even more so than they dominated the wee chiefies in the first half last week.

Now the only question is how fit are the Cheetahs. Last week they were definitely effected by travel. Can they now have a decent second half and win the game.

Last week I noted how good Sarel was. Some halfwits rubbished him due to a couple of poorish passes. I trust now they have had their blind eyes opened to the threat he poses.

I trust ALSO snapster is watching.

Cheetahs loosies doing well. Trevor playing very nicely as is Strauss. Goosen showing there is nothing wrong with his nerve. Goaling all hIs kicks will do him good as to his allround play.

Once Coenie is fit the Cheethas scrum will be great. Brussouw will battle to oust any of the current loosies. nice biggish strong boys. Labbies doing great.

GO CHEETHAS.- TIME TO TAKE A KIWI SCALP.

From what I see pretorious and goosen looking the form combo for boks... Could this ever happen?

 Scalp taken! Congrats Cheetahs a thorougly deserved win and one wich I trust will bring some perspective. Doubtless if the cheetahs had more gas against the wee chiefies anything could have happened. 

Much vaunted kiwi backs shut down as cheehas forwards take charge. 

Only disappointment for me was Coenie scrumming. He had a few good ones though so lets hope with more game time he shows he is on an upward curve.

Young De Jagger is also a find for the cheeths. Wee brussouw was useful and makes a nice addition to the bench.

Some players were a bit quiet. Willie Le Roux, Daniller and Rhule defended well but are far better on attack than they showed.

Provided they dont get injuries the Cheetahs are going to do well this year.

Hats off to Naka he really achieves miracles each year.

I trust this win puts the nz teams in a more correct perspective. Is the bubble bursting?

Another question - could Sarel spark the Boks backline?

Sarel/ goosen maybe the answer both got some attacking flair... I think boks could do worse...

 Redsman, I reckon Sarel Pretorius was very unlucky not to make it in 2011 when he was the top tryscorer for the Cheetahs and I think for the competition overall too. It was that year wasn't it? I could be wrong..

He is certainly a more complete scrummie than Hougaard and adds more life than Pienaar.. Him and Reinach to battle it out. Those should be the front runners..

Excellent stuff 9and 10...lets hope this combo continues. Boks now have 2 combos... Pretorius and Goosen and Reinach and Lambie as well with a spare no 9 in Hougaard in emergencies...that's a lot of ammo. Just hope our  national coach gets it right and does not inhibit the natural flair...these combos must be allowed to develope.

Redsman who knowsnow but by the time the rugby championhip arrives it should be clear. Goosen was fine in all aspects but his taking on the opposition by running at them. Van Zyl also looked good so some rotation must happen.

Cheetahs backs have more to show I believe.

Brumbies match is on - go brumbies

ExKeo 

Sarel Pretorius scored twice while Johan Goosen kicked 21 points in a surprise victory over the Highlanders.

The Cheetahs won 36 – 19 after leading 30 – 7 at half time.

The Cheetahs dominated the Highlanders in all aspects to record a fantastic win in Dunedin, avenging the reverse fixture from last year, where the Cheetahs choked on a big lead.

Pretorius may have scored two tries and Goosen may have had a 100% kicking record but the star of the show was without a doubt Lappies Labuschagne. He was immense on defence, knocking back Highlanders left right and center, while being the muscle behind some good pick and go ball.

Two of the three tries scored by the Cheetahs were opportunistic, one of Pretorius’ tries being an intercept while Rob Ebersohn scored off a charge down. Pretorius could easily have had his hat trick should he have been able to catch a bouncing ball with an open try line in front of him.

In what has been an amazing turnaround in a matter of seven days, coming off a 45 – 3 beating at the hands of the Chiefs, the Cheetahs showed great heart to take this match. Many would argue that the bounce of the ball favoured them, but it was their defence that won them this match.

The Highlanders threw everything into the second half but could simply not get over the advantage line. The Cheetahs defensive structure, although risky, put pressure of the Highlanders by being very flat, something they took advantage of by kicking in behind the defence. Kade Poki made the most of this, scoring his first try running onto such a kick.

Poki continued his try scoring in the second half, completing his hat trick towards the end of the second half. The Highlander will be happy that Colin Slade made it through 40 minutes on his comeback, but injuries and an unbalanced bench will be of concern for coach Jamie Joseph.

Great win by Cheetahs. 

Stormers must simply stop the chiefs dead in their tracks. Lets hope Jantjes doesn't lose us another game.

Our  problem is three small backs in Jantjes, Aplon and Joe. This is not the backline to play against the chiefs. How ou allistair reacts will be crucial.

Go Stormers.

 Beeno you are not going to cheer for the Brumbies are you?? Where is the loyalty man to SA teams? Just because your hero JW is Brumbies coach? What if he were the new Wallabies coach, would you also cheer for them?