Harry Potter has exploded into the national conversation five weeks out from the Wallabies’ Spring Tour after scoring a first-half double to help power the Western Force to a memorable 38-24 victory over the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

The 26-year-old stood out in the strong performance under acting coach Will Eggleston, scoring twice and preventing two tries with some desperate goal-line defence.

After a syndesmosis injury derailed his first season with the Force in late March, Potter’s stunning performance was perfect timing as Joe Schmidt prepares to settle on his top 64 players to take to the United Kingdom.

Although Schmidt is expected to name a 34-man Wallabies squad, The Roar understands the New Zealander will name another 30 to take part in an Australia XV side to take on Bristol and England A.

Potter’s stunning double, as well as his ability to cover multiple positions, is likely to catch the eye of Schmidt.

He wasn’t alone in impressing either, with several players delivering the type of performance that will warm the hearts of Force fans desperate for success.

One-cap England hooker Nic Dolly, who will soon be eligible to play for the Wallabies, was strong across the park and with his core throwing role at the lineout. Fellow recruit Nick Champion de Crespigny was abrasive on both sides of the ball while halves Issak Fines-Leleiwasa and Max Burey had their moments too.

Seasoned centre Sio Tomkinson, who arrived recently after joining the franchise after years at the Highlanders, also produced the ball of the day by slipping a sublime offload to Potter to score his second try.

Warringah Rats playmaker Coby Miln, the 2024 Shute Shield leading points scorer, also showed that he could be a penalty 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁ing merchant by banging over a couple of penalties, including one from near the sideline and 40 metres out.

Although the 14-point victory counts for little in the grand scheme of things it was exactly the type of performance the Force and Simon Cron need four months out from the next Super Rugby season.

After two years of regenerating his roster, Cron’s fingerprints are starting to shine through.

“I thought we set it up really well in that first half,” acting skipper Reed Prinsep said.

“The second half the Cheetahs came back out and scored first and put us under pressure, but our ability to overcome that and go to the next job and keep playing is something I’m really proud of.”

Prinsep added that he was encouraged by the first-up performance on South African shores, with the Force overcoming a dodgy scrum and a physical Cheetahs side to start their mini-tour in fine form.

“Massively important,” he said.

“I’ve been in Super Rugby for almost ten years now and having the opportunity to come back here is awesome. Looking back throughout my career they are some of the highlights. It’s so good to be back here and get a taste of this great place both playing and outside of footy.

“It’s great preparation for us with no domestic competition really going on in Australia, so it sets us up really well for Super Rugby in 2025.”

The Force started spectacularly when Potter reeled in a chip kick from Max Burey first-phase from a lineout to score in the fourth minute.

The pressure would quickly turn on the visitors, however, and Will Harris was shown a yellow card for cynical play on his line in the eighth minute.

Although the Force managed to keep the Cheetahs out, winger Litha Nkula made the most of space between Mac Grealy and prop Tiaan Tauakipulu. One phase later and Gideon van der Merwe scored.

But the Force recovered well as Burey knocked over a penalty, before Dolly showed patience at the back of a maul to score.

A stunning offload from Tomkinson allowed Potter to score his second.

The Force stretched their lead out to 25-7 at half-time when Burey collected another three after hooker Corne Fourie was shown a yellow card after poor discipline from the entire team.

An overthrown lineout allowed van der Merwe to kick ahead and only the wheels of Potter denied the Cheetahs an immediate response after half-time.

But they didn’t have to wait long as some poor defence from West Harbour lock Josh Thompson allowed fullback Michael Annies to hit back.

Their comeback didn’t last long though as Burey collected a kick and then spotted space before executing a fine 50-22 to grab hold of the momentum.

After Champion de Crespigny was pulled down inches short of the line, some quick ruck speed allowed Harris to score.

Potter then came to the rescue once more, denying the Cheetahs a spectacular team try as he wrestled Jandre Nel onto his back when the halfback looked certain to score.

With the Force well on their way to victory, Cron introduced Miln to the game and while the replacement fly-half initially kicked out on the full the sharpshooter then picked up where he left off from the Shute Shield.

The playmaker banged over two penalties and collected himself a 50-22 to help the Force race out to a 38-17 lead.

Miln then saved the day with a desperate ankle-tap that brought Annies down.

Potter missed the chance of scoring a hat-trick when he spilt Harris’ offload near the Cheetahs’ 10 metre line.

The Cheetahs scored last through replacement hooker Vernon Paulo, but it was a memorable win for Cron’s Force.