Toulon end Cheetahs' Euro journey

MATCH REPORT: The Cheetahs' Challenge Cup campaign came to an end with a 21-36 defeat to Toulon on Saturday.

The Cheetahs had multiple opportunities in the opening minutes but failed to turn convert.

Instead, it was the hosts who made the most of their chances.

The three-time Champions Cup winners and four-time Challenge Cup finalists Toulon outscored the Cheetahs six tries to three as they booked their place in the quarter-finals.

After a missed penalty, Thomas Salles crossed the line for five points. The fullback converted his try for the 7-0 lead after 20 minutes.

The Cheetahs just could not get momentum and even went down to 14 men after Rynier Bernado was handed a yellow card.

Toulon took full advantage of the extra man as they set up a driving maul before Teddy Baubigny powered over the line.

With the halftime clock already in the red, Toulon set up another attack. Benoit Paillaugue made a break before sending wing Aymeric Luc in for the try. Salles added the extras for the 19-0 lead at the break.

Trailing 0-19 at the break, Cheetahs had a mountain to climb in the second half.

However, they entered the field very determined to get into the contest and less than two minutes into the second half Marco Janse van Rensburg dotted down for his team's first five-pointer.

Ruan Pienaar added the extras to narrow the deficit to 12 and give Cheetahs a little bit of momentum.

However, Toulon dented the Cheetahs’ hopes as Facundo Isa and Jiuta Wainiqolo both went over the chalk, while Salle added a conversion for the comfortable lead.

The Cheetahs threatened a recovery when Cohen Jasper crossed on 58 minutes, but it was too little too late when Bernardo atoned for his sin bin spell.

The South Africans put on a brave fight with Cohen Jasper crossing on 58 minutes and Bernado, but it was a little too late as Toulon secured the 36-21 win.

Man of the match: His kicking to post was below par, however, the Toulon fullback Thomas Salles set up a couple of his team's tries and his intercept proved vital and therefore he gets our nod.

The scorers:

For Toulon:

Tries: Salles, Baubigny, Luc, Isa , Wainiqolo 2

Cons: Salles 3

For Cheetahs:

Tries: Janse van Rensburg, Jasper, Bernardo

Cons: Pienaar 3

Yellow cards: Rynier Bernardo (Cheetahs, 28), Matthias Halagahu (Toulon, 76)

Teams:

Toulon: 15 Thomas Salles, 14 Jiuta Naqoli Wainiqolo, 13 Jérémy Sinzelle, 12 Waisea Vuidravuwalu, 11 Aymeric Luc, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Benoit Paillaugue, 8 Sergio Parisse (captain), 7 Facundo Isa, 6 Jules Coulon, 5 Adrien Warion, 4 Swan Rebbadj, 3 Kieran Brookes, 2 Teddy Baubigny, 1 Bruce Devaux

Replacements: 16 Christopher Tolofua, 17 Dany Priso, 18 Beka Gigashvili, 19 Matthias Halagahu, 20 Mathieu Bastareaud, 21 Jules Danglot, 22 Maëlan Rabut, 23 Ihaia West

Cheetahs: 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 David Brits, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Munier Hartzenberg, 10 Reinhardt Fortuin, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Teboho Mohoje, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Rynier Bernardo, 3 Hencus van Wyk, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Schalk Ferreira.

Replacements: 16 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Nqobisizwe Mxoli, 19 Mzwanele Zito, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Sibabalo Qoma, 22 Rewan Kruger, 23 Cohan Jasper

Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)

Assistant referees: Alex Frasson (Italy) & Manuel Bottino (Italy)

TMO: Matteo Liperini (Italy)