Faf de Klerk delivered a last-gasp try to secure a dramatic 31-26 victory for the Cheetahs over the DHL Stormers XXIII in their Currie Cup Round Four encounter at Athlone Stadium on Sunday.
With the scores level at 26-26 heading into the final moments, the Bloemfontein side showed composure through 29 phases before the Springbok scrumhalf crossed in the left corner to snatch the win. The five log points lifted the Cheetahs to second in the standings with three rounds left to play.
The Stormers dominated territory early, camping inside the Cheetahs' half and being held up over the tryline on multiple occasions before Stefan Ungerer crashed over in the 11th minute. The visitors responded immediately through wing Prince Nkabinde, but Vernon Paulo's 39th-minute try gave the hosts a 14-5 half-time advantage.
Neels Volschenk reduced the deficit early in the second half before Wandile Mlaba extended the Stormers' lead in the 57th minute. Mlaba was sin-binned moments later for a tip tackle, and the Cheetahs capitalised on the numerical advantage to set up De Klerk's match-winning intervention.
The Cheetahs outscored their hosts five tries to four, while the Stormers collected two losing bonus points to sit one point adrift of fourth place.