Challenge Cup result: Cheetahs make winning start to life in Europe

The Cheetahs kicked two late penalties to edge Pau 21-16 in their opening Challenge Cup match in Pau, France on Saturday.

This was the Cheetahs’ first taste of proper international rugby action since playing in the Pro14 competition before being chopped to make way for South Africa’s Super Rugby teams joining the new United Rugby Championship.

Pau were quickest out the blocks, fullback Clement Mondinat slotting a penalty early on before Ruan Pienaar leveled with a penalty of his own.

Before the half was up, Mondinat slotted two more penalties to give his side a 9-3 lead at the break.

There were few try-scoring chances, with the Cheetahs coming the closest, but Pienaar, after a period of good build-up play by his team when they took the ball through multiple phases, lost the ball going over the line.

Powerful second half

The Cheetahs enjoyed the majority of possession and territory in the first half, but Pau’s defence held firm, and it was they, the hosts, who scored the points when the Cheetahs were penalised.

But, the Cheetahs’ pressure-game finally paid dividends early in the second half when replacement loose forward Daniel Maartens finished off after a maul drive from a 5m lineout. The conversion by Pienaar made it 10-9 to the visitors.

Pau though hit back almost immediately with their first try of the match, prop Remi Seneca going over for a converted try from close range.

With the game opening up nicely in the second spell, the Cheetahs were soon right back in it when Oupa Mohoje scored after the Pau players were unable to field a high kick and the visitors pounced on the loose ball.

And then, with just a few minutes remaining the Cheetahs won a penalty after a Pau player had committed a foul by making a no-arms tackle, allowing Pienaar to slot the shot for three points and the lead.

Two minutes later the Cheetahs won another penalty and this time flyhalf Siya Masuku stepped up and nailed the kick, giving the Cheetahs a 21-16 win.