Maartens double earns much-needed win for Cheetahs

Daniel Maartens was the Cheetahs’ hero with two late tries as the South African franchise edged out Benetton Treviso 31-25 in the Pro14.

The Cheetahs came into the contest with only one win from eight games all season, but managed to double that tally as Maartens’ second score – from the back of a rolling maul in the 73rd minute – proved decisive.

Toyota Stadium was sparsely populated for Saturday’s contest, but the spectators in attendance witnessed a topsy-turvy contest with multiple shifts in momentum.

Maartens’ two second-half scores came either side of Ian McKinley rounding off phase after phase of Treviso attack with a try that put the Italian team ahead for a third time.

Marco Zanon and Dewaldt Duvenage were Treviso’s other try-scorers, but the Cheetahs prevailed as Nico Lee and Shaun Venter went over prior to Maartens’ brace.

Great game at Toyota Stadium @CheetahsRugby win 31-25#GuinnessPro14 #CHEvBEN

— Toyota Cheetahs (@CheetahsRugby) November 24, 2018

Louis Fouche added a penalty after Maartens’ second try, with Treviso unable to find a reply in the closing minutes.