How Cheetahs turned to law book for bonus-point win

REACTION: The rule book managed to ensure the Cheetahs bag a full house of five points and better their points difference on the log during the rain-delayed Currie Cup match against the Griffons on Friday.

Due to the inclement weather conditions, the start of the Round Eight encounter was delayed by 10 minutes.

But 45 seconds after kick-off the floodlights failed, sending the stadium into darkness.

The players remained on the field for a short while and were then taken off for safety reasons, due to nearby lightning.

Officials then found themselves scurrying to dig out the rule book, as the Griffons had refused to reschedule the match for the following day or two (Saturday and Sunday), insisting to play the game on Friday.

After two hours, the players appeared back on the field to warm up and it was announced that kick-off will resume at 21.30 - 150 minutes after the scheduled start - with the broadcaster also having packed up its cameras before the delayed restart.

Eventually, the game only ended at 23.30.

Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie explained exactly what went on behind the scenes.

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“It was an interesting night full of drama," Fourie said.

"At one stage I didn’t think we were going to play last night," he said Saturday morning.

"The Griffons didn’t want to reschedule for Saturday or Sunday.

"It became a long story, but luckily we got hold of some law books.

“The laws state if a game doesn't last up until half-time, it needs to be rescheduled.

"Our game only lasted 48 seconds. If one team decides not to play the game, the other team gets four log points. The team that doesn't want to reschedule then gets zero. With no points difference.

“Because the Griffons insisted on playing the game on Friday, and we were far behind the Pumas on points difference on the log, we knew we had to play the game.

"Luckily the referee decided to make a call at 21.00 that the match would resume at 21.30 if the lightning was not within 20 kilometres of Bloemfontein.

“Fortunately the weather improved and we could restart the game.

"It was not the best rugby on display, but I am very thankful that we managed to get the five points [on the standings].

"That extra [bonus] point is important, especially because we only got one point in our loss against the Sharks at home last weekend,” Fourie said.

The Cheetahs also managed to add 23 points to their points difference which now puts them 40 points behind the Pumas.

“We can still catch up with them while we are at the top of the standings again.

"Things are now firmly in our hands again.

"We still have six games to play and we will have to play much better than we did last [Friday] night.

“There were some positives.

"We managed to rest some valuable players like Ruan Pienaar, Gideon van der Merwe, Dawid Brits and Sibabalo Qoma, who have all played a lot of rugby up to now.

“We also got some new guys on the pitch who haven’t played in the Currie Cup this year.

"Make no mistake, it was a difficult night.

"The players had their pre-match meal at three [15.00] in the afternoon.

"In the two hours between the ‘first’ start and the second one, they finished their post-match meal, which is not ideal.

"I am just glad it all worked out in the end.”