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Cheetahs center Frans Steyn during the Super Rugby Unlocked match against the Pumas in Bloemfontein on October 10, 2020.
Images of Frikkie Kapp / Gallo
Two-time Rugby World Cup winner Francois Steyn scored 17 points as the Cheetahs dominated the Sharks 37-10 on Sunday to bolster hopes for back-to-back Currie Cup titles.
The 33-year-old center converted the attempts of captain and blocking Carl Wegner, hooker Marnus van der Merwe, winger Rhyno Smith and prop Boan Venter and scored three penalties at Bloemfontein.
HOW IT HAPPENED | Cheetahs 37-10 Sharks
Steyn is known for his long-range goal kicks and one of his penalties in a flawless performance off the tee was hit from within the Cheetahs half.
The utility runner won World Cup medals with South Africa in 2007 and 2019, one of only two Springboks to accomplish the feat.
The Cheetahs triumphed despite receiving three yellow cards, reducing the team to 13 players at one point in the second half when winger Rosko Specman and Venter were sent off for sin.
Venter’s overtime attempt was the most important, earning the Cheetahs an extra point for scoring three more than the Sharks.
The Bulls top the table with 35 points and appear poised to finish first, leaving Western Province (31), Lions (29), Sharks (28) and Cheetahs (26) battling for three places in the semis with two games to play each one.
Teams that finish first and second enjoy the advantage of playing at home in the penultimate stage of a competition that was first organized in 1892, making it the oldest provincial rugby competition in the world.
It was 33 degrees Celsius when the match began in Bloemfontein in an empty stadium due to the coronavirus pandemic, with a second wave sweeping through South Africa.
Water breaks were taken in the middle of each half and each side used their eight replacements.
“It was crucial to win this game with a bonus point and we did it thanks to an incredible effort from the starters and those who came off the bench,” Wegner said.
“We will celebrate tonight and starting tomorrow we will start preparing for another vital match at home, against the Western Province next Saturday.”
Sharks captain and center Lukhanyo Am offered no excuses as the Durban side suffered a second straight loss after losing 15 points to the Lions in Johannesburg last weekend.
“Our discipline disappointed us because we conceded too many penalties, which put pressure on the scoreboard. Areas of concern include set pieces and breakdowns.”
The Sharks were given a torrid moment in scrums for most of the game and regularly gave up possession when they were in promising attacking positions.
Wegner got the Cheetahs off to a great start with a 28-second try and after the Sharks tied, the hosts methodically built a 27-10 lead at halftime.
A Steyn penalty was the only result of the second half until Venter ran to the line nearly three minutes after the horn sounded to indicate 80 minutes had elapsed.
On Saturday, Springboks hooker Bongi Mbonambi scored two maul attempts as Western Province climbed from fourth to second with a 34-17 victory over the last team, the Griquas, in Cape Town.
