Six-try Chiefs defeat Cheetahs 27-41

Cheetahs 27-41 Chiefs, Toyota Stadium

Chiefs overcame a dominant first half performance from Cheetahs as they sealed a 27-41 win in their Super Rugby clash at Toyota Stadium on Saturday.

Cheetahs applied early pressure on Chiefs as Raymond Rhule, Torsten van Jaarsveld and Francois Venter crossed over in the first 20 minutes while fly half Niel Marais added three conversions and a penalty to take them to 24-0 lead.

Just as the visitors were under pressure, Toni Pulu danced past the post two times in a span of 12 minutes to reduced the gap to 10 points at half time.

Following a yellow card to Chiefs' Kane Hames, Marais and his counterpart Aaron Cruden exchanged penalties while a try from Tawera Kerr-Barlow brought down the difference to just five points.

Chiefs looked relentless in their approach in second half as James Lowe, Shaun Stevenson and Hika Elliot scored a try each to complete a 14 point win. They are at second in New Zealand Conference behind Crusaders.