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In a high-paced match, this was never going to be a high-scoring encounter, but it was trench warfare, the kind of tough, uncompromising rugby played by two proud sides with a point to prove.
Neither team ever really asserted their dominance although there were periods when one side would gain the ascendency only for the other to regain some form of parity. That was for 70 minutes of the game.
Nearing half time, somehow The Sharks lineout went awry, a penalty was awarded against them and scrumhalf Tewis de Bruin, back on the field following a 10m sojourn in rugby's equivalent of prison for a punch, scampered the 20m to score the first try of the match, catching the defense out with a quick tap and go.
It was a disappointing score to concede after such good work had been done on defense leading to the try and The Sharks would have been kicking themselves for conceding the advantage.
Both sides continued to create opportunities but neither was able to press home the advantage in the remaining minutes of the half thanks to some outstanding defense. The Cheetahs would have been happy with their spoiling tactics at the breakdown, denying The Sharks quick attacking ball and generally making a nuisance of themselves. Effectively so, although they gave away a number of penalties on the ground for a variety of indiscretions they were fortunate not to be punished further than one converted penalty – to Patrick Lambie.
The sides went into the half-time break with the home side enjoying a 10-3 lead with the prospect of big ball-carriers Willem Alberts and Jean Deysel still to make their presence felt in what was a hugely physical contest. However, it would be a massive ask to firstly overturn the lead, score enough points to win, and deny the home side too many points.
As the clock wound down and it appeared the Bloemfontein bogey would rear its ugly head, out of nothing, and for no real rhyme or reason, The Sharks stepped up into 5th gear while the home side dropped off the pace and suddenly, Lwazi Mvovo and Ryan Kankowski had their hands in two tries – both scored and converted by Patrick Lambie (pictured) – showing why they are such dangerous threats on attack.
From the very jaws of defeat, a hard-fought victory was earned. There was jubilation but the knowledge that this was one tough match that The Sharks had dug deep to earn the win.
Patrick Lambie was voted the Absa Man of the Match, but it came off what captain Stefan Terblanche called afterwards, “A fantastic team effort today.”
Coach John Plumtree said, "We hung in there, had a good period and you have to give the boys credit, we played off scraps and came through in the end. The Cheetahs were hungry and tough, credit to them."
Crowd: 17 000
The Sharks: 25 (3)
Tries: Eugene van Staden, Patrick Lambie (2)
Conversions: Pat Lambie (2)
Penalties: Patrick Lambie (2)
Free State Cheetahs: 13 (10)
Tries: Tewis de Bruin
Conversions: Louis Strydom (1)
Penalties: Louis Strydom (2)
Referee: Mark Lawrence
