Yellow fever for the Cheetahs as they punch themselves out

Like their counterparts the Kings, the Cheetahs started 2018 on a thoroughly depressing note as they slumped to a 27-21 loss to Italian side Benetton Treviso in the Pro14 on Saturday.

While the central franchise didn’t play a particularly inspiring brand of rugby, they were ahead for much of the match before two yellow cards within seconds of each other delivered their knockout punch.

Cheery Treviso, who were better throughout anyway, pounced to clinch a bonus point victory.

Who was the star in this match?

Treviso’s eventual triumph was down to coach Kieran Crowley smart use of his replacements and no-one epitomised their influence more than hooker Epalahame Faiva.

The fleet-footed forward was everywhere on the park, contributing greatly in the collisions and being rewarded with two tries.

Winger Monty Ioane’s attacking instincts and work rate was also commendable.

For the visitors, Springbok flank Oupa Mohoje showed some class in a generally wayward effort.

Key moments and themes

• The 54th minute was the moment the Cheetahs shot themselves in the foot and lost all control. Treviso had already shown their teeth on the attack when going wider and the visitors were defending desperately after another fluid move. Then hooker Torsten van Jaarsveld cynically went off his feet and was shown yellow. The Cheetahs survived initially before scrumhalf Shaun Venter deliberately knocked down from a scrum. It was a poor piece of decision-making and it was punished with two tries conceded within three minutes.
• That said, Treviso’s four tries were due reward for their attitude. They had threatened throughout the game and merely needed the boost of a compromised opposition defence to really get going. The hosts varied play well in the latter stages of the game.
• The Cheetahs’ set-pieces were generally effective – as always – while they also defended stubbornly in the first half. But their attack relied on mini-breaks in the midfield by the likes of centres Francois Venter and Nico Lee. When they did punch holes, the support play was lacking. Mohoje’s first try was excellent though as lock Reniel Hugo appreciated the laws brilliantly. He realised fullback Craig Barry’s kick had been touched, scooped up possession and laid the platform.
• Injuries among the backs continue to be a headache for coach Rory Duncan. Winger William Small-Smith trudged off with an ankle problem while captain Venter seemed to hurt his neck after a bump.

Point scorers:

Cheetahs – Tries: Oupa Mohoje (2). Conversion: Fred Zeilinga. Penalties: Zeilinga (3).

Treviso – Tries: Epalahame Faiva (2), Monty Ioane, Federico Ruzza. Conversions: Marty Banks (2). Penalty: Banks.

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