Flyhalf Ruan Pienaar rolled again the years, kicking 10 factors to assist the Cheetahs clinch a pulsating Currie Cup last in opposition to the defending champion Pumas at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Saturday evening.

Main 18-11 at half time, the Cheetahs dug deep within the second half to repel a spirited Pumas fightback, holding on for a 25-17 win to  declare their first Currie Cup title since 2019. The end result marks the seventh time Free State have been topped champions within the competitors’s historical past.

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It was a decent first half as each groups manoeuvered for a territorial benefit. Pienaar and Pumas counterpart Tinus de Beer traded penalties to make it 6-6 on the finish of the primary quarter.

The within centres hogged the highlight within the second quarter. The Cheetahs have been first to cross the whitewash with an unconverted strive within the left nook from Reinhardt Fortuin earlier than the Pumas hit again via Ali Mgijima, De Beer failing to transform from the fitting touchline.

Minutes earlier than the break. the hosts struck once more because the backline produced some razzle dazzle to ship winger Cohen Jasper over within the nook with Pienaar slotting a magnificence for a seven-point benefit on the break.

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The second half was a low-scoring affair, with each side choosing territory as a substitute of expansive rugby. De Beer chipped away on the Cheetahs’ benefit with two penalties after the restart, however the hosts stretched their result in eight when scrumhalf Rewan Kruger sniped from a ruck to search out his method over the road a lot to the delight of the 34,000-strong crowd. Pienaar made no mistake off the kicking tee.

The Pumas tried valiantly to return again into the sport however when De Beer light an important penalty within the dying minutes, the Cheetahs defence stood resolute to shut out a basic Currie Cup last.

SEVENTH HEAVEN🏆🐆

Bloemfontein’s chosen sons take their place in historical past as @CheetahsRugby win their seventh #CurrieCup title in entrance of an enormous viewers in Toyota Stadium 👏#WhereLegendsRise pic.twitter.com/YFayjBAViF

— The Currie Cup (@TheCurrieCup) June 24, 2023

Photograph: Charle Lombard/BackpagePix