Talk about riding your luck. The Cheetahs had their hearts lodged firmly in their throats as Dylan Maart crossed the whitewash with no time on the clock, slicing their comfortable cushion to a single point. Liam Koen stepped up for the conversion that would steal victory from the jaws of defeat, but his boot betrayed him at the crucial moment.

The missed kick sealed a 32-31 triumph for Frans Steyn’s charges on Friday evening at Free State Stadium, a result that punches their ticket to the SA Cup playoffs and guarantees Currie Cup qualification. More importantly, it ended a frustrating drought against Griquas that had lingered far too long in Bloemfontein.

Flying start sets the platform

The home side burst out of the blocks with intent, racing to a commanding 17-0 advantage that suggested this would be a comfortable evening’s work. Louis van der Westhuizen and Cohen Jasper both dotted down converted tries, whilst Jaco van der Walt slotted a penalty to put the Cheetahs firmly in the driver’s seat.

Griquas responded through Tiaan Lange to get on the scoreboard, but Van der Walt’s second penalty and a Rewan Kruger five-pointer stretched the margin to 25-7. The visitors, however, weren’t about to roll over. Connor Mahoney crashed over before the interval, cutting the deficit to 25-12 at the break and giving Griquas a lifeline heading into the sheds.

Second-half fireworks

The pattern continued after the restart, with Griquas striking first through Damian Markus. But the Cheetahs crucially secured their bonus point minutes later when Munier Hartzenberg went over, keeping their noses in front at a critical juncture.

Carel van der Merwe’s try tightened the screw once more for Griquas, setting up a grandstand finish that had the Free State faithful chewing their fingernails down to the quick.

Playoff picture crystallises

The Cheetahs’ victory means Boland and the SWD Eagles will now scrap for the final playoff berth, facing Eastern Province and the Leopards respectively in what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the pool stages.

For Frans Steyn’s men, job done – albeit in the most nerve-shredding fashion imaginable. The boys from Bloemfontein did just enough when it mattered most, and that’s all that counts in knockout rugby.

See who scored all the points in the match at KickOff.com