AMSTERDAM – Stade Francais Paris produced a masterful second-half performance to defeat the Cheetahs 45-22 in Amsterdam, claiming a crucial EPCR Challenge Cup victory after trailing at the interval.
The French visitors struck first when they crossed the line after just six minutes, converting successfully to establish an early 7-0 advantage. However, the Cheetahs responded through Cohen Jasper’s penalty kick in the 12th minute, reducing the deficit to four points.
Stade Francais extended their lead when Joe Marchant collected the ball from a chip kick to score an excellent try on 22 minutes. The successful conversion pushed the visitors 14-3 ahead, seemingly in control of proceedings.
The Bloemfontein-based Cheetahs mounted a remarkable comeback before the break. Louis van der Westerhuizen powered over for a first try on 34 minutes, with Jasper adding the conversion to make it 10-14. Four minutes later, Munier Hartzenberg produced magic, weaving through multiple defenders to score a brilliant try. Jasper’s successful conversion gave the South Africans an unexpected 17-14 half-time lead.
The second half witnessed a French resurgence. Iakopo Mapu capitalised on scrappy ball handling by the Cheetahs to score in the 42nd minute, reclaiming the lead after the conversion made it 21-17. Two minutes later, poor handling allowed Thibaut Motassi to pounce on a chip kick for another try, extending the advantage to 28-17 after the successful conversion.
Louis Foursans-Bourdette stretched Stade Francais’s lead to 14 points with a penalty goal in the 53rd minute. The French side then pulled away decisively when Noah Nene scored following another Cheetahs handling error on 65 minutes, with the conversion creating a commanding 38-17 advantage.
The visitors added further gloss to their victory when Juan-Martin Scelzo crossed for a try in the 73rd minute after brilliant passing and support play. The conversion increased their lead to 45-17.
The Cheetahs managed a late consolation when Jandré Nel finished off an excellent try with two minutes remaining, though Jasper missed the conversion, leaving the final score at 45-22.
Stade Francais’s dominant second-half display demonstrated their European credentials, whilst the Cheetahs will rue their inability to build on their promising first-half performance in Amsterdam.
