Emerging Ireland executed their third straight victory in their South African tour at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein, with final-quarter tries by Matthew Devine and Danny Sheahan off the bench playing a key role. The side led by Simon Easterby had previously claimed triumphs over the Airlink Pumas and Western Force before this match. Despite trailing 17-12 halfway through the game, they rebounded in the second half to secure the Toyota Challenge title, which they had last won in 2022.
The match began with Cheetahs tighthead prop Robert Hunt scoring the game’s opening try, six minutes in after his side opted for an attacking penalty touch. Their Irish rivals found themselves relieved when a try by Friedle Olivier, the backrow, was disqualified due to a neck roll by veteran loosehead Schalk Ferreira in the buildup, the guest side made a forceful entry into the game at the 18-minute mark.
Emerging Ireland concluded successfully with a clean sweep of victories in South Africa. An account of the Leinster v Munster match at Croke Park is due this Saturday. Leinster is set to take on Munster following the early wrap-up of their preseason, according to Gordon D’Arcy. Leinster’s derby clash with Munster is likely to see Ciarán Frawley taking the lead at outhalf.
After a vigorous charge into the 22 by James Culhane, the team’s captain, lock Evan O’Connell was chosen by Cormac Foley to take a robust final shot over the try line that Sam Prendergast converted successfully. The Cheetahs, however, were able to relax when a Foley try was deemed invalidated due to a double movement in the 22nd minute. The South African team regained their lead when an Olivier offload led to a converted try by Michael Annies.
The competition intensified when Cheetahs extended their lead as their hooker, Corne Fourie, successfully diverted from a lineout raid, scoring a high five. However, Emerging Ireland concluded the initial phase on an upbeat note. After manoeuvring the ball back to a central position from an internal set-piece action within the 22 of their competitors, an intricate pass from Ben O’Connor facilitated Andrew Osborne, Leinster and Ireland’s star Jamie’s younger sibling, to score a standard try on the right-wing.
Reflecting on the historic rivalry between Leinster and Munster
Emerging Ireland was trailing by five points upon resumption but managed to balance out the deficit with fresh recruits within 55 minutes. Alex Soroka joined the team, alongside substitute scrum-half Devine. Hugh Gavin, Connacht’s centre, effectively advanced, and Leinster’s flanker reacted the fastest during a phase of unorganised play, allowing him to run under the goal post.
Prendergast ensured the extras for a second time, securing the dominance of Emerging Ireland. When Cheetah’s Carl Wegner was given a yellow card for conducting a high challenge against Charlie Tector at minute 63, it seemed the visitors were making strides towards victory.
However, Cheetahs resuscitated the match after Annies registered his second try of the session. Still, Emerging Ireland counter-struck immediately, with Jack Murphy and Devine associating for the latter to sprint over for a high five.
A standard bonus kick from Murphy handed Emerging Ireland a slight lead once more, with a substantial prize of 300,000 rand (€15,526) confirmed when Sheahan aggressively scored from nearby in the final phases of the exhilarating showdown.
Scores – Emerging Ireland: E O’Connell, A Osborne, A Soroka, M Devine, D Sheahan (one try each); S Prendergast, J Murphy (two cons each). Toyota Cheetahs: M Annies (double tries); R Hunt, C Fourie (one try each); E Wentzel (double cons).
Emerging Ireland comprised B O’Connor, A Osborne, H Cooney, H Gavin, Z Ward, S Prendergast, C Foley, A Usanov, S Smyth, J Aungier, E O’Connell, D Murray, H Sheridan, S Edogbo, and J Culhane.
Substitutions: Soroka came in for Sheridan, M Devine substituted for Foley, both at 52 minutes; G Hadden replaced Usanov, S Wilson took over from Aungier, C O’Tighearnaigh came in for O’Connell, all in the 58th minute; C Tector relieved Ward in the 62nd minute; D Sheahan took over from Smyth, J Murphy replaced Prendergast, both occurred on the 67th minute.
TOYOTA CHEETAHS comprised of M Annies, P Nkabinde, M Hartzenberg, C-J Coetzee, A Kunene, E Wentzel, R Kruger, S Ferreira, C Fourie, R Hunt, C Wegner, V Sekekete, G van der Merwe, S Vumazonke and F Olivier.
Substitute players: MJ van Rensburg took over from Fourie, H van Wyk replaced Ferreira, L Victor was substituted for Hunt, all on the 47th minute; J Nel replaced Kruger while C Jasper took over for Kunene, both in the 58th minute; U Stander swapped with Vumazonke in the 61st minute; N Volschenk came in for van der Merwe in the 72nd minute; G Lourens replaced Wentzel in the 78th minute.
C Wegner received a yellow card in the 63rd minute.
The referee of the game was S Geldenhuys from South Africa.