One bright spot from the weekend for SA rugby

The Cheetahs picked up the first win for a South African franchise in the PRO14 competition, beating Zebre in a high scoring match.

Zebre – who only won three times last season as they finished bottom in the Pro12 format – threatened to cause an upset as they moved into an 11-0 lead after 16 minutes, but they relinquished that advantage and never got it back.

Eight tries for the Cheetahs saw them pull well clear of their Italian visitors in a highly entertaining match that finished 54-39 to the hosts in Bloemfontein.

Thank you @ToyotaSA for a great day in Toyota Stadium. #TeamHilux #GuinnessPRO14 @PRO14Official pic.twitter.com/QXLL8cAU7c

— Toyota Cheetahs (@CheetahsRugby) September 16, 2017

That bonus-point win lifted the Cheetahs away from the foot of Group A, a position shared by Zebre and Cardiff Blues – the latter having slumped to a third defeat of the new campaign.

A 20-19 win for Glasgow Warriors at Cardiff Arms Park keeps the Blues on one point from three matches, while group leaders Munster edged their meeting with Ospreys 21-16 – a result that left the Welsh side’s boss Steve Tandy disappointed.

“Our application and attitude wasn’t good enough,” he said. “I don’t think we fronted up in the first half.

“Our movement, speed into position – you name it, I don’t think we delivered anything that we want to be as an Osprey in the first half. We’ll have a few harsh words around Monday, but ultimately we know we’ve got to start winning games pretty quickly.”