The Cheetahs triumph in what was quite a close affair towards the end of the game. The Kings were able to dominate the second half in what was a fantastic performance from them, playing with pride and denying the Cheetahs of a much needed bonus point.
Disappointing to see a poor crowd turn out for the game, but it was quite entertaining even considering the amount of handling errors, drop balls and penalties.
Final score
Cheetahs 34
Kings 20
Early on Sunday morning, the Cheetahs will play host to the struggling Kings. Both teams will look to triumph in this one in an effort to resurrect their seasons and build confidence for the next one. Join The Roar from 1:05am (AEST) for live scores and commentary.
Cheetahs head coach Franco Smith has made eight changes to the team that suffered a 15-point loss to the Waratahs last weekend.
Springbok Lodewyk de Jager, plus hooker Torsten van Jaarsveld, Charles Marais, Maks van Dyk, number 8 Paul Schoeman, Uzair Cassiem, Michael van der Spuy and Shaun Venter all return to the starting XV.
These changes will definitely benefit the Cheetahs who go into the match unquestionable favourites.
In a huge blow for the Kings, coach Deon Davids has ruled out regular captain and lock Steven Sykes.
“Steven has a grade one ligament tear in his shoulder that will rule him out for a week or two,” Davids said.
In his absence, in-form centre Shane Gates will take the Kings out onto Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein.
Going down to the Blues last week, Davids has named three changes. Schalk Oelofse, JP Jonck, Aidon Davis and JP du Plessis are in, replacing the injured Steven Sykes, Chris Cloete, CJ Velleman and Stefan Watermeyer respectively.
Even though this may be the case, it definitely provides an opportunity for the younger, inexperienced players to step up and prove themselves.
“They have really been some of the workhorses in the team up to now, but it is also a great opportunity to see what players like JP Jonck and Cornell Hess can do coming in,” Davids said.
Join The Roar from 1:05am (AEST) for live scores and commentary.
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
FULLTIME Cheetahs - 34 Kings - 20 The Cheetahs triumph in what was quite a close affair towards the end of the game. The Kings were able to dominate the second half in what was a fantastic performance from them, playing with pride and denying the Cheetahs of a much needed bonus point. Disappointing to see a poor crowd turn out for the game, but it was quite entertaining even considering the amount of handling errors, drop balls and penalties. Realistically, the Cheetahs should have won by more but they were unable to do so. Thanks for tuning in.
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
Even though the siren has gone, the Cheetahs are playing for the bonus point and the Kings are playing for pride - still game on.
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
'78 - YELLOW CARD! Multiple penalties given away on their own 5m line from the Cheetahs has resulted in one of them being binned. They'll play with 14 men for the remaining 3 minutes.
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
'75 - Unbelievable play for the Kings who almost scored again. The Cheetahs were forced to place the ball back over their own try-line for a 5m scrum for the Kings. Can they score again?
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
'72 - TRY! The Kings, after endless minutes of pressure camped very deep in opposition territory, get their just rewards with a well-deserved try! Great work by the Kings to come away with points. Fouche converts. Cheetahs - 34 Kings - 20
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
'58 - To make it even better for the Kings, Fouche kicks the restart out on the full. Scrum to the Cheetahs on halfway.
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
'56 - TRY! Sergeal Petersen picks up the ball on halfway and there was never any chance of catching him. Crosses in the corner and brings the bonus point back for the Cheetahs. Zeilinga converts. Cheetahs - 34 Kings - 13
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
'50 - TRY! JP du Plessis strolls over for the Kings, scoring his first try in Super Rugby. He was very slippery and the Cheetahs show some really poor defence off the back of the scrum. Fouche converts after just coming on for Watts. Cheetahs - 27 Kings - 13
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
'48 - The Kings are penalised for not supporting their own body weight at the breakdown and the Cheetahs take full advantage of that. Penalty converted by Zeilinga. Cheetahs - 27 Kings - 6
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
'46 - TRY! Great work from the Cheetahs. Perfect work and passes for it to end up in the hands of van der Spuy who crosses the line to score a wonderful try. Converted successfully. Cheetahs - 24 Kings - 6
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
Handling errors so far: 10-9
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
Second half is underway!
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
HALFTIME: Cheetahs - 17 Kings - 6 Interesting game so far. Cheetahs should be well in front but a lack of execution at the end has hurt them. Despite that, they're doing well at the set piece and have got over the advantage line with ease. For the Kings, they should be pleased to still be touch with the Cheetahs.
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
'31 - The Kings slot an easy penalty. Important for them to keep the scoreboard ticking over for them. Cheetahs - 17 Kings - 6
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
'28 - TRY! Wonderful scrum from the Cheetahs. Cassiem sweeps up the loose ball and crosses the try-line to get some more points on the board for the hosts. Comfortably converted. Cheetahs - 17 Kings - 3
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
'27 - The Cheetahs bomb a certain try, a disappointing result for them considering their good play. Mohoje tried to scoop the pass over the top but it was to no avail.
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
'24 - TRY! The Cheetahs finally get their reward from a well worked play that broke up and scattered the Kings defence. Raymond Rhule hits a gap following the great work off a stolen lineout. Try converted by Zeilinga. Cheetahs - 10 Kings - 3
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
'21 - NO TRY! Raymond Rhule crosses the line just to the right of the posts but is denied due to a forward pass. It all started with van der Spuy intercepting the ball just short of halfway and the Cheetahs got deep inside the Kings 22 but failed to capitalise. Second missed opportunity.
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
'19 - Penalty slotted by Zeilinga to bring the scores level after a penalty was given away by the Kings for a dreadlock pull. Cheetahs - 3 Kings - 3
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
'15 - Kings get the start they wanted. Watts nails it. Cheetahs - 0 Kings - 3