Wellington – Cheetahs captain Francois Venter is upbeat about the progress of his team after they romped home to a 44-16 Currie Cup victory over the Boland Cavaliers on Saturday.
The Free State side led just 10-9 at the break but scored four more tries in the second half to claim a bonus point at the Boland Stadium in Wellington.
The match heralded Boland’s return to the Currie Cup Premier Division for the first time since 2009 after they won promotion through the qualifying series earlier this year.
They gave as good they got in the first half as they clawed their way back into the game after the Cheetahs took an early 10-0 lead, with fullback Nico Scheepers slotting three penalties.
But outside the centre Venter and his Cheetahs outfit were much more efficient in the second half as their forwards took control and the backs played with greater cohesion.
“I must say it was a game of two halves. They put us under pressure and we didn’t convert our (pressure) into points in that first half,” Venter said in a post-match TV interview.
“But I’m proud of the boys with the way they came back in the second half. We just wanted to limit our errors and convert our opportunities – that’s the only thing that’s kept us down the whole year (during Super Rugby).
“The second half was great and we felt that playing together all this time is now coming together and we were enjoying every moment. Our whole goal is to finish strongly in this Currie Cup. We’ve got a strong squad through Super Rugby as well and all our preparation is done – we’ve just got to execute.”
Boland skipper Ryan Nell acknowledged that the gap between the qualifiers and Premier Division was something the Cavaliers will have to address, as the home team dropped off in intensity in the second half.
“A lot of guys were on the field for the first time in the Currie Cup (Premier Division), and I think that came out on the field in the second half. Credit to the Cheetahs, it was good play from them,” he said.
“We tried to stick to our structures, but it was definitely a bit more pace when you get to Currie Cup, and we will have to adjust to that. This is our home field and we would like to bring respect back to it, and we want to make it a tough place to visit.”
Boland’s next game is against Eastern Province in Port Elizabeth next Friday, while the Cheetahs take on the Blue Bulls in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
ANA