Luther Obi scored two tries as Griquas ambushed the Cheetahs in the Currie Cup match in Kimberley on Saturday, snapping the Free Staters’ nine-match win streak.

The hosts scored five tries, including a double from their explosive left wing, and were awarded a penalty try for a 46-18 victory over the Cheetahs. The result put Griquas level on log points with the fourth-placed Pumas, and three behind the Sharks – the Northern Cape side, though, has a game in hand on both teams.

Griquas started fast with three quickfire tries in the opening quarter. Centre Sango Xamlashe went over for the first followed by scrumhalf Johan Mulder’s score to take Griquas into an early 12-0 lead.

The Cheetahs found themselves a man down for 10 minutes following a no-arms tackle and Griquas hooker Janco Uys powered over for his team’s third of the afternoon straight after.

The Cheetahs mitigated the rest of their numerical deficit and even got on the scoreboard via the boot of Ruan Pienaar, but Obi’s bonus-point try against the run of play swung momentum back in Griquas’ favour.

The away side scored their first of the afternoon through No 8 Mihlali Mosi to bring the deficit down to 24-8 heading into the break.

A display of great power from Obi earned Griquas their first try of the second fourty, with Zander du Plessis converting brilliantly. Gustav du Rand ran in Griquas’ sixth of the afternoon only minutes later to extend their lead to 28 points.

Griquas pulled up the handbrake going into the last quarter, gallantly defending waves of Cheetahs attacks to keep the visitors at bay. Adding insult to injury, the Cheetahs succumbed to a late penalty try, extending their deficit to 43-8.

The Cheetahs scored two late consolation tries hoping for a bonus point, but ultimately went down 46-18 to Griquas in Kimberley.