Winger Prince Nkabinde scored two tries in the Cheetahs’ comfortable win against Georgia’s Black Lion in Bloemfontein on Sunday.
The hosts, stung by last week’s 39-38 defeat, produced a controlled second-half display to triumph 24-5 and level the two-game Challenge Series.
After a cagey opening 20 minutes, Nkabinde broke the deadlock when he pounced on a loose ball to sprint over for the opening try, converted by Franco Smith.
The Georgians missed a penalty late in the half, and the Cheetahs took a 7-0 lead into the break.
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Black Lion responded early in the second half through replacement hooker Shalva Mamukashvili’s maul try, but that proved their only score of the match.
Fullback Michael Annies then struck back almost immediately, finishing a slick counter-attack to restore the Cheetahs’ momentum.
Centre Marko Janse van Rensburg powered over from a maul to extend the lead, before Nkabinde completed his brace in the closing stages.
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The Cheetahs will face the Lions in a warm-up match at Ellis Park on 20 November, before kicking off their European Challenge Cup campaign against the Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park on 7 December.
CHEETAHS – Tries: Prince Nkabinde (2), Michael Annies, Marko Janse van Rensburg. Conversions: Franco Smith, Clayton Blommetjies.
BLACK LION – Try: Shalva Mamukashvili.
Photo: Johan Pretorius/Gallo Images
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