Match Details

Cheetahs (SA)

VS

Crusaders (NZ)

28

Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein Kick off times: 7:10pm (Local) Sat 24 Feb 4:10am (AEDT) Sun 25 Feb

49

The Crusaders have come back with a vengeance, thrashing the Cheetahs 49-28 in their Investec Super 14 clash in Bloemfontein on Sunday morning AEDT.

Stephen Brett was in outstanding form, landing 24 points for the side while inside centre Rua Tipoki had his best game yet for his new side as he and centre partner Casey Laulala were able to take full toll of some weak home defence.

Winger Caleb Ralph and fullback Scott Hamilton scored two tries each for the Crusaders while Laulala and Brett scored a try each. Brett added five conversions and three penalty goals.

It was the Cheetahs who scored first when No.8 Darron Nell intercepted a ball on halfway to race and score in the corner after six minutes.

Four minutes later flyhalf Herkie Kruger landed a dropped goal.

Then after 13 minutes inside centre Meyer Bosman kicked a penalty goal for an 11-0 lead.

However, the Crusaders struck back with Laulala providing reward for some fine passing to score with Brett adding the conversion.

Brett was tackled without the ball in the 27th minute and landed the resulting penalty goal.

Six minutes from halftime Ralph was grounded right on the goal-line but with support from flanker Kieran Read he managed to touch down and the try was awarded. The Crusaders led at half-time 20-11.

Bosman started the second half with a penalty goal but if the home team thought that was a boost, they were soon on the receiving end again when Tipoki made a break in the second minutes which saw Ralph into space and goal-line bound.

Brett added a penalty goal in the 48th minute. 

Controlled mauling from the Crusaders two minutes later resulted in the ball being quickly moved through the backs and it was Hamilton who scored.

Things went from bad to worse for the home side in the 58th minute when the Cheetahs were hot on attack only to lose the ball on the Crusaders' goal-line. Hamilton secured the ball and then headed the chasers in a 100m dash for the try.

There was some consolation for the Cheetahs when poor control at the base of the Crusaders scrum resulted in a try for Nell and then in the 69th minute another try was scored when Kruger capitalised on a some good Cheetahs mauling to score.

However, it was fitting that the final word went to the Crusaders, and Brett, who intercepted the ball to score under the posts.

Crusaders 49

Tries: Brett, Hamilton 2, Laulala, Ralph 2

Conversions: Brett 5

Penalties: Brett 3

Cheetahs 28

Tries: Nell 2, Kruger

Conversions: Bosman 2

Penalties: Bosman 2

Drop Goal: Kruger