Super Rugby made its return today, with a local derby between rivals Cheetahs and the Lions kicking things off in a match that was much closer than expected. For the men from Gauteng it was a welcome return after being forced to watch the Southern Kings participate in their stead last season. Most would have predicted a win for the Free State representatives, given home field advantage and the presence of four key Springbok players in their lineup.

The Cheetahs were in control early on, but Johan Goosen pulled two shots at goal to the left and instead it was Marnitz Boshoff capitalising on some ill discipline from Adriaan Strauss to score the first points of this year’s tournament. This seemed to wake the home side up and first Goosen found his range, then a scything counter attack from Willie le Roux put flyer Raymond Rhule clear down the left flank to score the first try. Boshoff’s boot was mighty, however, and two more penalties before the half kept the Lions well within range despite coming off second best in nearly everything.

The second half started similarly, with the home side dominating and le Roux again the architect of their second try. First he put Shaun Venter into space with a nifty offload, then after a quick top threw a long ball wide to impressive Cornal Hendricks who touched down in his Super Rugby debut. Goosen converted and with an 8 point gap it looked like the Cheetahs might start to slip away. Boshoff, however, had other ideas.

As the Lions began to put more urgency into their game, the Cheetahs appeared to slow up. Boshoff hit two penalties, the second after some silly play earned Jean Cook a yellow card 30 seconds after arriving on the pitch, and brought the visitors within just 2 points. Replacement flyhalf Elgar Watts, on for Goosen who had damaged an elbow, looked to have returned his side to the ascendency, but loose play from both Sarel Pretorius and Ligtoring Landman handed possession back to the Lions, and Boshoff struck again to bring them within kicking distance.

Once again the Cheetahs pressed deep into Lions territory, earning a shot at the posts. Watts was too casual, however, and missed the relatively easy chance, and a kicking exchange favoured the Lions and found them in possession just inside half way. After going through a couple phases Boshoff lined up a picture-perfect drop goal from nearly 40 metres and it split the uprights to steal a famous victory for his side.

Naka Drotske will be hugely disappointed that his side failed to close out the win, and certain replacements might find themselves doing some extra yards in practice this week. Johan Ackermann, on the other hand, will be delighted that his team kept their composure, and especially that he has a kicker the quality of Marnitz Boshoff in his side. It was a good way to kick off what promises to be an entertaining season of southern hemisphere spectacles.

SCORING
16 mins – M. Boshoff pen 0-3
20 mins – J. Goosen pen 3-3
24 mins – R. Rhule try 8-3
25 mins – J. Goosen con 10-3
30 mins – M. Boshoff pen 10-6
40 mins – M. Boshoff pen 10-9
50 mins – C. Hendricks try 15-9
51 mins – J. Goosen con 17-9
57 mins – M. Boshoff pen 17-12
62 mins – M. Boshoff pen 17-15
70 mins – E. Watts pen 20-15
75 mins – M. Boshoff pen 20-18
79 mins – M. Boshoff drop 20-21

CARDS
61 mins – J. Cook yellow (foul play)

CHEETAHS
W. le Roux; C. Hendricks (R. Benjamin 68), J. Sadie, F. Venter, R. Rhule; J. Goosen (E. Watts 62), S. Venter (S. Pretorius 52); Ca. Oosthuizen (T. Nyakane 46), A. Strauss (capt.), Co. Oosthuizen (M. van Dyk 75); L. de Jager (L. Landman 68), F. Uys; B. Prinsloo (J. Cook 61), L. Labuschagne, P. van der Walt.

LIONS
C. Botha; D. van Rensburg, L. Mapoe, S. Watermeyer (A. Hollenbach 62), R. Combrinck; F. de Klerk (R. Cronje 70), M. Boshoff; S. van der Merwe (J. van Rooyen 67), R. Coetzee (W. Wepener 60-70, 75), J. Redelinghuys (R. Dreyer 75); F. Mostert (W. Britz 75), F. van der Merwe; J. Kriel (W. Tecklenburg 70), D. Minnie, W. Whiteley (capt.).

Referee: C. Joubert (SARU)
Assistants: F. de Bruin (SARU) & L. van der Merwe (SARU)
TMO: J. Greeff (SARU)