It was a proper way for the Toyota Free State Cheetahs to avenge their 42-14 defeat against the Phakisa Pumas last year. As a result, the team from Bloemfontein moved up to second spot on the standings in the Currie Cup, sponsored by DirectAxis Financial Services.

The Free Staters made some strange mistakes at times, one of which led to a scorcher of a try to the Phakisa Pumas’ speedster Devon Williams, who rounded off a great counter-attacking move from an over-thrown Toyota FS Cheetahs lineout on the home team’s try-line.

This try was one of three which helped steer the home team to a 22-17 lead at the break, with a total of five tries scored in the first half as both teams dished up some industrious play. Alwayno Visagie scored twice for the Phakisa Pumas but the Free Staters never fell too far behind.

Visagie got his hat-trick after the break, but unfortunately for him and his fellow Lowvelders, the Toyota Free State Cheetahs found a higher gear in the second half as they added four tries to their tally.

Louis Fouché scored a great try for the visitors to finish with a personal haul of 18 points, while Benhard Janse van Rensburg got two of the Free Staters’ six tries.

Scorers:

Phakisa Pumas 37 (22) – Tries: Alwayno Visagie (3), Devon Williams, Jeandré Rudolph. Conversions: Chris Smith (3). Penalty goals: Smith (2).

Toyota Free State Cheetahs 43 (17) – Tries: Jasper Wiese, Clayton Blommetjies, Benhard Janse van Rensburg (2), Ruan Pienaar, Louis Fouché. Conversions: Fouché (5). Penalty goal: Fouché.