Cornal Hendricks scored a hat-trick of tries in the Cheetahs' contact session with the Griffons on Wednesday.

While it was touted as a pre-season match, it was actually more of a training session, with Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské rotating his players every few minutes. The first quarter of the second half was played in one half of the field, while the second quarter was used as a practice session.

The Super Rugby side eventually ran in 10 tries, and apart from Hendricks' treble, centres Michael van der Spuy (two), Johann Sadie and Francois Venter all crossed the tryline. 

Loose forward Boom Prinsloo played well in his first match back after his injury, while skipper Willie Britz was another who shone for the Cheetahs.

The Griffons did manage to breach the Cheetahs defence once, but there were no scorers at the ground to keep count of the final outcome.

Photo: Conrad Bornman/Volksblad/Foto24