Cheetahs overcome Sunwolves with 38-31 triumph

Cheetahs 38-31 Sunwolves, Toyota Stadium
Scorecard

Cheetahs scored two tries on either half as they managed to overcome a stern resistance from Sunwolves with a 38-31 win in their Super Rugby encounter at Toyota Stadium on Saturday.

This was also Cheetah's second win this season and they are placed at second in Africa 1 group which also has Sunwolves at bottom of the table.

Fullback Shota Emi scored a try in the very first minute while fly half Hayden Cripps added a conversion as Sunwolves raced to a seven point lead.

The scores were levelled when Cheetahs hooker Torsten van Jaarsveld responded with a try of his own in the 14th minute with fly half Fred Zeilinga adding the extras.

A 21st penalty from Zeilinga brought Cheetahs to a three point lead but it was short lived as Cripps scored a brilliant converted try. Flanker Oupa Mohoje ensured the hosts had the momentum back with his 36th minute touch down that was sandwiched between a penalty and a conversion from Zeilinga. Cheetahs had a slender three point lead heading into the second half.

Efforts from Clinton Swart and Zeilinga gave Cheetahs clear advantage as they stretched the lead to 13 points but Sunwolves made a dream comeback through a double try from wing Kenki Fukuoka that took them to a one-point lead.

Just when they looked to register their maiden win this season, a 64th minute sin-bin to replacement Takuma Asahara costed them dearly as Cheetahs centre Rayno Benjamin capitalised on it scoring the fourth try and completed a 38-31 victory followed by another penalty from Zeilinga.