Stade Français powered to a commanding EPCR Challenge Cup victory over the Cheetahs in Amsterdam on Saturday.
A brace of tries from scrumhalf Thibaut Motassi and flyhalf Louis Foursans-Bourdette’s 15 points from the tee secured a comfortable 45-22 win against Frans Steyn’s side at the NRCA Stadium.
Stade Français laid the early platform through scrum dominance. A powerful shove inside the Cheetahs’ 5m area earned a penalty, which Motassi took quickly to catch the defence napping and score the opening try.
The Cheetahs responded through the boot of winger Cohen Jasper, who slotted a penalty from inside the Stade Français half to reduce the deficit. However, the French side soon took control of territory and possession, repeatedly pinning the Cheetahs deep despite strong defensive resistance.
Pressure eventually told in the second quarter. Motassi again played a key role, sniping around the fringes before releasing centre Joe Marchant, who finished well. Foursans-Bourdette added the extras to stretch the lead to 14-3.
Ill-discipline continued to hurt the Cheetahs, but they fought back with purpose. From a lineout deep in Stade Français territory, after setting a powerful maul, captain Louis van der Westhuizen crashed over. Jasper converted, cutting the gap to four points.
The Free Staters finished the half with momentum. Centre Munier Hartzenberg wriggled through a narrow channel in the defence to score, and Jasper’s conversion handed the Cheetahs a 17-14 lead at the break.
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That advantage was short-lived. Stade Français exploded out of the blocks after the restart. A charge-down from Motassi put the Cheetahs under immediate pressure, and flanker Iakopo Mapu pounced to score. Foursans-Bourdette converted to reclaim the lead.
Moments later, another handling error proved costly. Motassi gathered a loose ball to score his second try and secure the bonus point, with the conversion pushing the score out to 28-17.
Foursans-Bourdette added a penalty as Stade Français tightened their grip. The Cheetahs attempted to rebuild, but a sloppy midfield pass was intercepted, allowing replacement centre Noah Nene to sprint clear and score under the posts.
The pressure kept coming. Flanker Juan Martín Scelzo finished off a sweeping team move from deep, with Foursans-Bourdette again successful from the tee to extend the lead to 45-17.
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The Cheetahs had the final say when Hartzenberg made a late break and offloaded to Prince Nkabinde, who found Jandré Nel for their third try.
However, they came away with nothing to show for their efforts, and with two defeats from two matches, will struggle to reach the playoffs.
CHEETAHS – Tries: Louis van der Westhuizen, Munier Hartzenburg, Jandre Nel. Conversions: Cohen Jasper (2). Penalty: Cohen Jasper.
STADE FRANCAIS – Tries: Thibaut Motassi (2), Joe Marchant, Iakopo Mapu, Noah Nene, Juan Martin Scelzo. Conversions: Louis Foursans-Bourdette (6). Penalty: Louis Foursans-Bourdette.
Photo: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images
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