Cheetahs comeback falls just short against Clermont in Challenge Cup

A late fightback from the Toyota Cheetahs fell just short as they were dumped out of the Challenge Cup by French side ASM Clermont 27-22 in their last 16 clash at the Stade Marcel Michelin on Saturday afternoon.

It was a fantastic comeback from the Cheetahs after they trailed 27-3 after 53 minutes, led by an explosive performance off the bench from replacement loose forward Sibabalo Qoma, but was in the end not enough as the hosts held on desperately for a tight win.

It was also possibly the final game for retiring former Springbok star Ruan Pienaar, which will be extremely disappointing for him after he enjoyed a good game but made a crucial late error that cost his side a chance of winning the match.

At the start of play the hosts got off to a flying start as they counter attacked from a lost Cheetahs lineout just in their own half, with the ball going through the hands with some great offloads before left wing Joris Jurand went over to score, converted by flyhalf Anthony Belleau for a 7-0 lead after two minutes.

The game then became a bit of a kicking battle as scrumhalf Pienaar got the Cheetahs on the board with an 11th minute penalty, Belleau responded in the 22nd minute to make it 10-3 and then missed his second attempt in the 30th minute.

The final five minutes of the half proved disastrous for the visitors as right wing Bautista Delguy dotted down after a brilliant cross kick from Belleau, before hooker Etienne Fourcade went over from a powerful maul after the hooter to put them into a strong 22-3 lead at the break.

The Cheetahs needed to score first in the second half, but instead it was the hosts after a superb break down the middle of the park ended with replacement scrumhalf Baptiste Jauneau going over for an