Cheetahs guts saw them through
Cheetahs skipper Adriaan Strauss lauded his side for a solid defensive effort in their 27-13 victory over the Reds in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
The victory lifts the Bloemfontein outfit to seventh place in the overall log standings, having beaten all of their Australian opposition thus far.
"I am very happy," Strauss said.
"We got the result we wanted which is the four points. It felt like we were defending the whole game. I think the guys showed a lot of character in defence.
"The Reds crossed our goal-line a couple of times and we managed to keep them off the ground. We were very good on defence. We gave them yards at times but we scrambled effectively when it was needed."
Despite countless attacks from the visitors, the Cheetahs defence stood firm and the Reds managed only a single try by replacement back Ben Lucas, but with the result already wrapped up, served merely as a consolation touch-down.
"We said beforehand that we needed to work hard and get up off the deck as soon as possible and fill in the channels on the inside and I think the guys did that," Strauss added.
"They worked extremely hard and I am very proud of them. We face the Kings in Port Elizabeth next week, a game which is another big challenge for us.
"But for now we are going to enjoy the victory. The team deserves it."
SAPA
