As it happened: Cheetahs v Stormers

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Commentary by Sport24's Garrin Lambley

80' - MATCH STATS

Metres run: Cheetahs 548-518 Stormers
Carries: Cheetahs 117-119 Stormers
Defenders beaten: Cheetahs 22-28 Stormers
Clean breaks: Cheetahs 8-8 Stormers
Tackles made: Cheetahs 110-91 Stormers
Missed tackles: Cheetahs 28-22 Stormers
Turnovers won: Cheetahs 7-5 Stormers
Kicks in play: Cheetahs 38-31 Stormers
Rucks won: Cheetahs 76-85 Stormers
Rucks lost: Cheetahs 3-3 Stormers
Lineouts: Cheetahs 7-6 Stormers
Lineouts: Cheetahs 1-2 Stormers
Scrums won: Cheetahs 6-4 Stormers
Scrums lost: Cheetahs 0-1 Stormers
Penalties conceded: Cheetahs 7-9 Stormers

80' - In next weekend's Week 12 action, the Stormers host the Highlanders on Saturday at 15:00 while the Cheetahs travel to Pretoria to face the Bulls at 17:05 on the same day

80' - The Stormers limp back to Cape Town without a single point - and well and truly bottom of the standings

80' - The Cheetahs pick up a full-house of five points and move above the Stormers in both the SA Conference and the Overall standings

80' - FULL-TIME in Bloemfontein as the Cheetahs beat the Stormers 35-22

79' - TWEET

I hope Bloem's dancefloor's are ready for the Nyakane Shake tonight! - Elma Smit

79' - Coleman adds the CONVERSION

The Cheetahs lead 35-22 with mere seconds remaining...

78' - This time it's the Stormers who get to celebrate a consolation try through skipper JEAN DE VILLIERS

78' - TRY!

77' - Worth remembering that the Stormers led 10-0 after 10 minutes... #justsaying

77' - But the Cheetahs won't mind as they lead 35-15 after Watts misses the conversion 

76' - Cue the worst post-try celebration ever between Nyakane and Rhule...

75' - The Stormers are dead and buried as the Cheetahs score their FIFTH try of the match through prop TREVOR NYAKANE

75' - TRY!

74' - TWEET

Not that I necessarily think its his fault, but all four Cheetahs tries scored on Williams' wing - Brenden Nel

73' - The Stormers now need to score THREE times to win the match.

Unlikely.com

73' - Elgar Watts adds the CONVERSION and the Cheetahs are out to a 30-15 lead with seven minutes remaining

72' - That's the fourth and bonus point try for the Cheetahs - and could well be the ball game...

71' - After countless phases by the Stormers, the ball to turned over and Sevens specialist CORNAL HENDRICKS kicks and regathers and outsprints Devon Williams to the tryline

71' - TRY to the Cheetahs!

71' - OH MY SHATTERED NERVES!

70' - Just a reminder the Cheetahs lead 23-15, meaning the Stormers are currently without a losing bonus point

69' - The Stormers give the ball some air, swinging it left and right as they cross the advantage line. The Cheetahs' defence holds for now...

67' - The Cheetahs have been pretty woeful in the last 20 minutes of a number of their matches this year. They had better watch themselves if they don't want to let this match slip out their grasp as the Stormers look to finish strong...

65' - Teboho Mohoje makes his appearance for the Cheetahs

62' - Grant adding absolutely nothing to the Stormers side at present. 

Never thought I'd say it, but bring back Demetri Catrakilis!

62' - Terrible conversion attempt by Peter Grant is wobbly and away to the left.

The Cheetahs lead 23-15 after 62 minutes

60' - This time the Stormers DO score - and it's the man on debut, DEVON WILLIAMS, who dives in after a great break by Jean de Villiers!

60' - TRY!

HEINEKEN CUP SEMI-FINAL

SCORE UPDATE: Saracens 32 Clermont Auvergne 6 after 70 minutes

58' - Nothing going right for the Stormers as skipper Jean de Villiers has a little moan with Joubert.

Penalty to the Cheetahs thanks to obstruction by Stormers No 8 Duane Vermeulen

58' - NO TRY!

58' - Craig Joubert consults his TMO.

Looks like obstruction...

58' - KEY moment coming up as Stormers centre Juan de Jongh goes in for a TRY - or does he...

57' - The Cheetahs lead 23-10 after 57 minutes.

23 minutes for the Stormers to turn the tide...

56' - The Cheetahs stretch their lead through a penalty by Watts as Kitshoff is pinged yet again at scrum time. 

Meeting between ref Joubert, Jean de Villiers, Kitshoff and Duane Vermeulen. No card...

55' - Jurie van Vuuren replaces Ruan Botha for the Stormers...

No, wouldn't recognise either of them either...

55' - PICTURE

Rayno Benjamin dives in for his first half try (Gallo Images)

54' - Elgar Watts fails to stretch the Cheetahs' lead as the Stormers concede another penalty.

Somewhat surprising that referee Joubert has failed to give them a final warning

51' - The Cheetahs go close through Rhule, but Fourie turns it over and Grant - sporting a rather unsightly nose plug - finds touch just outside the Stormers' 22m area...

50' - The Cheetahs getting over the advantage line. Every. Single. Carry.

49' - New Stormers Director of Rugby GERT SMAL spotted in the crowd.

Rather him than me!

48' - The Cheetahs go in search of their fourth - and bonus point - try as Trevor Nyakane rumbles forward...

47' - Yet another penalty to the Cheetahs as they begin to mount against a shell-shocked looking Stormers side. They're in big trouble in Bloem!

44' - Great break by Deon Fourie comes to nought as the ball is turned over. Scrum to the Cheetahs - which leads to a penalty as Steven Kitshoff is penalised.

Stormers scrum coach Matthew Proudfoot is shown looking non-plussed...

42' - Grant just hasn't been the player Stormers fans remember when he last donned the blue and white hoops. His time in Japan hasn't treated him well.

41' - The Stormers can't possibly be any worse than they were for the last 30 minutes of the first half - and they start strongly as they're awarded a penalty - which Peter Grant duly pushes wide of the right-hand upright...

41' - And we're underway for the second half in Bloemfontein!

40' - FIRST HALF STATS

Metres run: Cheetahs 351-167 Stormers
Carries: Cheetahs 78-39 Stormers
Defenders beaten: Cheetahs 17-3 Stormers
Clean breaks: Cheetahs 6-2 Stormers
Tackles made: Cheetahs 39-58 Stormers
Missed tackles: Cheetahs 3-17 Stormers
Turnovers won: Cheetahs 4-3 Stormers
Kicks in play: Cheetahs 21-18 Stormers
Rucks won: Cheetahs 48-27 Stormers
Rucks lost: Cheetahs 1-3 Stormers
Lineouts: Cheetahs 1-4 Stormers
Lineouts: Cheetahs 1-2 Stormers
Scrums won: Cheetahs 2-2 Stormers
Scrums lost: Cheetahs 0-1 Stormers
Penalties conceded: Cheetahs 4-4 Stormers

40' - The first 40 minutes is a thing of the past in Bloemfontein as the Cheetahs lead a miserable looking Stormers team 20-10

40' - Another penalty to the Cheetahs as the hooter sounds for HALF-TIME

38' - Stormers skipper Jean de Villiers has been the invisible man today.

I literally had to check the starting XV to double-check he was playing...

38' - TWEET

Amazing thing is Willie le Roux an ex Paul Roos boy played for 2 seasons for Boland our brilliant WP scouts didn't recognize he's ability - Rob Louw

37' - The half-time break looms as the Stormers concede a free-kick at the scrum for not scrumming straight

HEINEKEN CUP SEMI-FINAL

SCORE UPDATE: Saracens 24 Clermont Auvergne 6 at HALF-TIME

34' - Peter Grant leaves the field for blood. Replaced by Kurt Coleman

34' - The Cheetahs have 3 tries in the first half - the Stormers have 1...

33' - Elgar Watts adds the CONVERSION as the Cheetahs have opened a 20-10 lead after trailing 10-0 after 10 minutes!

32' - That man WILLIE LE ROUX gets onto the scoresheet as the much-vaunted Stormers defence is rips to shreds!

32' - TRY!

28' - Hugely impressive comeback by the hosts after the Stormers' fast start...

How will the men from the Cape respond?

No sign of coach Alister Coetzee who is no doubt fearing the worst...

28' - Elgar Watts on target at last as he lands a penalty to give the Cheetahs a 13-10 lead after 28 minutes.

27' - TWEET

It's not easy being a coach,judging by the facial expressions!Skillfactor by the Cheetahs need to be admired!atleast they trying to play! - Breyton Paulse

26' - Scrum penalty to the Cheetahs. Huge thumbs-up to their front row...

25' - The Cheetahs are on attack as skipper Adriaan Strauss goes on a barn-storming charge. Willie le Roux key to so many Cheetahs movements. 

Stormers hanging on at the moment...

24' - The field is cutting up rather badly in parts. Hope it holds. Still another 55 minutes or so to go...

22' - TWEET

Watching Stormers v Cheetahs. Shocked to see how empty the stands are. What's up with that? - Trevor Immelman

19' - TWEET

Mense. That is a try of note. What a pass from Brussow! Started by Le Roux. This is why we love the Cheetahs. Bring it on! - Front Row Grunt

18' - Elgar Watts is woefully off-target with the conversion though.

10-all after 18 minutes

17' - Started by that man Willie le Roux with a key role played by flank Heinrich Brussow and RAYNO BENJAMIN finishes off the Cheetahs' second score in as many minutes

16' - And just like that the Cheetahs are in for their second try of the afternoon!

16' - TRY!

15' - TWEET

Magnificent Cheetahs try. Incredibly accurate kick from Willie, but Daniller did well to hold his nerve and come back inside - Front Row Grunt

15' - The Stormers lead 10-5 after 15 minutes

14' - Advantage played to the Cheetahs as Willie le Roux kicks for fullback HENNIE DANILLER and he gathers, spins and evades Devon Williams to score for the hosts.

Elgar Watts fails to add the extra two points

13' - And just as I hit out at the Cheetahs - they SCORE!

13' - TRY!

11' - Pressure SURELY mounting on coach Naka Drotske. How he still has a job is beyond me. The Cheetahs are absolutely woeful this season - and apart from last year, haven't been decent in living memory...

11' - And he doesn't... Grant adds a penalty and the Stormers lead 10-0 after 11 minutes

10' - Poor discipline from centre Rayno Benjamin as he gifts the Stormers a penalty slap-bang in front of the sticks.

Peter Grant ought to have no problem stretching the Stormers' lead...

9' - Penalty to the Cheetahs as the Stormers 'hold on' at ruck time. They clear to touch but soon thereafter concede a penalty of their own for obstruction

PICTURE

The Stormers take to the field... (Twitter)

7' - It's all Stormers in the opening minutes as they're back on attack as the Cheetahs try to hold on on a rather slippery field...

5' - Peter Grant adds the CONVERSION and the Stormers lead 7-0 after 5 minutes

4' - Marvellous start by the Stormers as flank NIZAAM CARR crashes over under the uprights for the opening try for the visitors!

4' - TRY!

2' - Surely no try - and no try it is. Scrum to the Stormers on the Cheetahs' 5m line

1' - Strong start by the Stormers - and new boy Devon Williams in particular as he kicks and ahead of charges after it. 

Raymond Rhule beats him to the ball, but referee Craig Joubert wants to check 'try or no try' with the TMO...

0' - And we're underway at the Free State Stadium!

TWEET

Cheetahs you know I like you,but today it will be my Stormers!Hoping for a running game and some good skill! - Breyton Paulse

TWEET

Ok can the bottom of the log clash bring some rugby joy? - Brenden Nel

ALTERNATIVE WATCHING?

If you absolutely can't stomach this bottom-of-the-table match, then switch over to SuperSport 7 for the first semi-final in this year's Heineken Cup between Saracens and Clermont Auvergne...

SCORE UPDATE: Saracens 14 Clermont Auvernge 3 after 20 minutes

WEATHER FORECAST

Cool day in Bloem - maximum of 19 degrees Celsius expected.

STORMERS TEAM NEWS

Rookie wing Devon Williams will make his first Super Rugby start for the Stormers in the absence of Sailosi Tagicakibau who has not shaken off a sternum injury.

Williams and fullback Jaco Taute are the new faces in the starting line-up, with Peter Grant moving back to flyhalf in the absence of Demetri Catrakilis (broken nose).

CHEETAHS TEAM NEWS

Cheetahs boss Naka Drotske has made two changes and a positional switch to his starting XV.

Raymond Rhule returns to the right wing at the expense of Cornal Hendricks who drops down to the replacements bench.

Up front, Boom Prinsloo, who played on the blindside flank in last weekend's 19-8 defeat to the Sharks in Durban, swaps positions with number eight Jean Cook.

The final change is in the second row where Andries Ferreira comes in for Lodewyk de Jager, who broke a finger against the Sharks.

PICTURE

New Stormers wing Devon Williams chats to SuperSport pre-match... (Twitter)

SCARY STATS

The Stormers have scored 123 points to date and conceded 174.

That means on average they lose every match 22-15 (rounded off)

The Cheetahs have scored 221 points to date and conceded 322.

That means on average they lose every match 36-25 (rounded off)

Will we have a winner today?

HOW F-R-I-G-H-T-E-N-I-N-G IS THIS STAT?

All FIVE New Zealand teams are in the top 9 in the standings, along with 3 Australian sides and the solitary Sharks from SA - who were thrashed at home by the Highlanders on Friday night!

No matter whether the Cheetahs or Stormers score 1 000 tries today, they will be 14th and 15th after Week 11.

Cheetahs and Stormers fans, lend me your ears...

The only Vodacom Super Rugby clash this afternoon is a bottom of the table clash. And when I say "bottom", I mean like rock bottom. Like you can't go any lower...

Neither side will look back on the first half of the season with any fondness as they find themselves propping up both the SA Conference and Overall log.

The Stormers are in 14th spot with 10 points from eight matches, while today's hosts find themselves in 15th - and last - spot in both the SA Conference and Overall standings with nine points from as many matches.

SPORT24 'EXPERT' PICKS

Sport24's self-proclaimed experts - Editor Garrin Lambley and Chief Writer Rob Houwing - give you their thoughts on today's match.

Click HERE to listen to their thoughts...

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OFFICIALS

Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa), Francois de Bruin (South Africa)
TMO: Johan Greeff (South Africa)

RECENT RESULTS

2013: Stormers won 28-3, Cape Town
2013: Cheetahs won 26-24, Bloemfontein
2012: Stormers won 13-6, Bloemfontein
2012: Stormers won 16-14, Cape Town
2011: Stormers won 44-34, Bloemfontein
2011: Stormers won 21-15, Cape Town

TEAMS

Cheetahs

15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Raymond Rhule, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Ryno Benjamin, 11 Willie le Roux, 10 Elgar Watts, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Johannes Prinsloo, 7 Jean Cook, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Nicolaas van Dyk, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Caylib Oosthuizen

Substitutes: 16 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Rossouw de Klerk, 19 Walter Vermeulen, 20 Teboho Mohoje, 21 Shaun Venter, 22 Riaan Smith, 23 Cornal Hendricks

Stormers:

15 Jaco Taute, 14 Damian de Allende, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Jean de Villiers (captain), 11 Devon Williams, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Nizaam Carr, 5 Michael Rhodes, 4 Ruan Botha, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Deon Fourie, 1 Steven Kitshoff

Substitutes: 16 Stephan Coetzee, 17 Oliver Kebble, 18 Brok Harris, 19 Jurie van Vuuren, 20 Schalk Burger, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Kurt Coleman, 23 Kobus van Wyk

Welcome to Sport24's LIVE scoring and interactive commentary on today's Super Rugby match between the Cheetahs and Stormers in Bloemfontein!