After a second-half surge, the Cheetahs overtook the USA Falcons to the finish triumphant in a high-scoring Toyota Challenge match at Free State Stadium on Friday.

The hosts recovered from a 20-17 half-time deficit, asserting themselves in the set-piece battle to run in eight tries for a 53-25 victory over the USA A team.

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With former Springbok assistant coach Gary Gold at the helm, and former DHL Stormers playmaker Marcel Brache at fullback, the Falcons signed up for the Toyota Challenge to prepare for a four-team repechage 2023 Rugby World Cup qualifying tournament in Dubai, and 12 players who were in the match-day 23 for the USA’s most recent Test were fielded against the Cheetahs.

The hosts refused to validate USA’s Test credentials and raced out of the blocks with two quick tries, putting the Cheetahs into a 12-0 lead, but the Falcons spread their wings in the second quarter with two tries and a penalty giving them a three-point advantage at the break.

The restart coincided with the Cheetahs flexing at the scrum and lineout, the former a source of penalties that moved the contest into USA territory – where hooker Marko Janse van Rensburg scored two maul tries – and the latter scrapping the Falcons’ exits as the Cheetahs successfully contested the throw.

With Frans Steyn’s big boot helping to pin back USA, the Cheetahs back three of Jasper Cohen, Rosko Specman and Munier Hartzenberg all got in on the scoring action while veteran scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar kicked four conversions and one penalty.

Next up, the Cheetahs host Griquas (4:15pm) and the Falcons take on the Pumas (1:45pm) at Free State Stadium on Friday, 21 October.

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Photo: Twitter/@CheetahsRugby