Cheetahs sound Currie Cup warning

The Toyota Cheetahs sounded their Currie Cup warning to the rest of the teams in the competition with a comprehensive 43-27 mauling of the Vodacom Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Friday night

Franco Smith's side were considered dark horses for the tournament after fielding basically their Pro14 side and were way too classy for the Bulls in their own back yard.

And in the process, Smith's side signalled the alarm bells at Loftus Versfeld after their second loss in as many games in a shortened competition. Pote Human's side are now firmly under pressure after their loss against Western Province last weekend.

It would be kind to say the Bulls were never in it, their forwards were totally outclassed and were it not for flashes of brilliance from their two Super Rugby wingers, Cornal Hendricks and Rosko Specman, the scoreline would have been even greater in favour of the visitors.

The Bulls' scrum remains an Achilles heel for the side, and the Cheetahs looked well-drilled and particularly good at controlling the game away from home.

It wouldn't have gone unnoticed that several of their players were Bulls rejects, players who had to leave Loftus after being termed surplus to requirements and who came back to haunt their former employers with a performance that would embarrass the Bulls hierarchy.

The forwards were never in the game and the defence was found wanting too often around the fringes and in the midfield for the Bulls to take any solace.

But for the Cheetahs it was a night where their expansive brand of rugby was celebrated and where they scored six tries to totally dominate the encounter.

TRY OF THE NIGHT

The rot started when Henco Venter broke through from a ruck untouched, and ran 30 metres to score the opening try of the game.

It was to be an omen for the Bulls, but they had some hope when Cornal Hendricks found some space on the outside to hit right back with a try of his own.

But then a double blow from midfielder Benhard Janse van Rensburg put the visitors firmly into the lead.

First the midfielder rounded the defence to go in at the corner, while his second was a firm leg drive and stretch to score a try he never should have been allowed to score but for sheer determination.

The Bulls gave themselves hope when Ruan Steenkamp emerged at the back of a maul on the stroke of halftime, but were still 10 points down at the break.

And then things got worse early in the second half when an 80-metre break by Tian Meyer was turned into a try when Louis Fouche scored against the posts.

But then possibly the try of the night came from the home side, as winger Rosko Specman unleashed his magic for a 60 metre run, complete with a chip and chase to collect and put his name on the scoreboard.

Two more tries by Jasper Wiese and Darren Adonis secured the game for the visitors, while late tries by Johan Grobbelaar and Conraad van Vuuren made the scoreline a bit more respectable for the home team.

But in the end the Cheetahs confirmed themselves as major contenders, while the Bulls have a massive headache to contend with and little time to sort it out.

Scorers

Vodacom Blue Bulls – tries: Cornal Hendricks, Ruan Steenkamp, Rosko Specman, Johan Grobbelaar, Conraad van Vuuren. Conversion: Manie Libbok.

Toyota Cheetahs – tries: Henco Venter, Benhard Janse van Rensburg (2), Louis Fouche, Jasper Wiese, Darren Adonis. Conversions: Tian Schoeman (5) Penalty: Schoeman