The Cheetahs won five consecutive Super Rugby matches for the first time when they snatched a dramatic 26-24 victory over the Stormers on Saturday in a frenetic South African derby.
A multi-phase post-siren attack by the home team that started in their half was rewarded when they were awarded a 35-metre penalty close to the touchline at Free State Stadium.
Up stepped five-eighth Burton Francis, elevated to the first team recently after star Johan Goosen sustained a serious injury during training, and he calmly slotted the ball between the posts.
Francis kicked three penalties, a drop goal and the conversions of tries by centre Robert Ebersohn and replacement halfback Sarel Pretorius as the Cheetahs made history in mild, South African autumn conditions.
Stormers fullback Joe Pietersen was successful with four penalties and one conversion and centre Juan de Jongh bagged a brace of tries for the 2012 semi-finalists.
The Cheetahs, used to occasional victories in the southern hemisphere championship and a bottom-half position throughout the season, are sixth on the combined standings and second in the South African conference.
After losing narrowly at home to fellow South Africans the Sharks and heavily away to title holders the Chiefs of New Zealand, the Bloemfontein franchise have turned their season around.
A win over the Highlanders in New Zealand was followed by victories against the Waratahs and Western Force in Australia and at home to the touring Melbourne Rebels last weekend.
But the sweetest success was against the Stormers from Cape Town, a team they had not beaten since 2007, and who looked likely victors for much of an absorbing encounter.
Vowing to win in memory of chief executive Gerda von Solms, 58, who died on the eve of the match after being admitted to hospital with abdominal pains, the Cheetahs overcame a line-out deficiency to triumph through sheer willpower.
“Our supporters were fantastic and pulled us through,” said Cheetahs hooker and captain Adriaan Strauss. “We dedicate this victory to them and to Gerda, who was a wonderful servant to rugby in this region.”
