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Storming match Super 12: Cats halt Waratahs winning streak
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP) -- Johan Erasmus led the Cats to a pulsating 28-21 win over the Waratahs at Ellis Park on Saturday to stop the Australian team's three match winning streak. Erasmus had a storming match as his team soaked up the pressure during the first half, then upped the tempo to score three tries and put the match beyond the Waratahs' reach. Matt Burke kept the Waratahs in front during the first half with three penalties to a solitary reply from Clinton van Rensburg. It was a fair reflection of the match up until that point, as the Waratahs had the lion's share of the possession. But it was clear from the first whistle of the second half that the Cats felt they could beat the tournament frontrunners. After a Van Rensburg penalty, Japie Mulder was the first to cross the line to reward some sustained pressure from the rampant Cats pack. Then the Cats put together nearly 20 minutes of the best rugby they have played so far this year. First, right wing Wylie Human grounded the ball in a corner after a brilliant run, and then scrumhalf Chad Alcock rounded off some superb play to make the Cats the only likely winners of the match. The Waratahs were down, but not out, however, and Marc Stcherbina and Scott Staniforth grabbed late tries to get their team within seven points to earn a valuable bonus point. The Waratahs were hit by injuries in key positions before the match, and that certainly affected the fluidity with which they played in their first three matches. For the Cats, Springbok captain Andre Vos played well off the inspirational play of Erasmus, and reveled in the space created by the tight five who shut down any chance the Waratahs might have had of running the Cats ragged. Scorers: Cats -- Tries, Japie Mulder, Wylie Human, Chad Alcock; conversions, Clinton van Rensburg (2); penalties, Van Rensburg (3). Waratahs -- Tries Marc Stcherbina, Scott Stanisforth; conversion, Sam Payne; penalties, Matt Burke (3). Referee -- Kelvin Deaker, New Zealand.
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