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01/02/2008 21:08
Bloemfontein - Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Cheetahs flyhalf, won the anticipated 'battle of the flyhalfs' against French magician Frederic Michalak at Vodacom Park in Bloemfontein on Friday night.
Michalak who played his first match for the Sharks in the warm-up match against the Cheetahs, showed some of his flair in the first half, but it was Potgieter who came out on top.
The match ended in a 24-all draw after Sharks scrumhalf, Ruan Pienaar slotted a penalty after the siren had gone to draw the scores level.
It looked as if the home side had bagged victory after lock David de Villiers scored with only a few minutes left on the clock.
Replacement flyhalf Herkie Kruger, however couldn't convert the try, leaving the Sharks with a lifeline that they grabbed right at the end.
Potgieter converted both of the Cheetahs tries in the first half and also played a telling part in creating the two tries by captain Juan Smith and No 8 Duanne Vermeulen.
Coach Naka Drotske may have found the answer to his flyhalf woes.
Cheetahs led at the break
Both teams played attacking rugby and it was a physical contest.
The visitors opened the scoring when former Free Stater, Frank Wagenstroom showed his pace after a grubber from centre Waylon Murray that went behind the Cheetahs defence following a scrum. Wagenstroom represented the Cheetahs in last year's Vodacom Cup competition.
Five minutes later Smith scored his try to draw the scores back level at 7-all. The Cheetahs led 14-7 at the break.
Referee Mark Lawrence sin-binned Albert van den Berg just before half-time and also gave AJ Venter (flanker) his marching orders just after the break. He was cited for a punch by touch judge Johan Wasserman.
Scorers:
Cheetahs:
Tries: Juan Smith, Duanne Vermeulen, Herkie Kruger, David de Villiers. Conversions: Jacques-Louis Potgieter (2).
Sharks:
Tries: Frank Wagenstroom, Jacques Botes, Robbie Harris. Conversions:Frederic Michalak(2), Ruan Pienaar. Penalty: Pienaar.
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