The Highlanders overcame a 21-point deficit in the final half-hour to beat the Cheetahs 36-33 in the Super Rugby clash in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Cheetahs five-eighth Johan Goosen’s 18-point haul gave the home side a 30-9 lead after 49 minutes, but his injury-enforced withdrawal was followed by a dramatic comeback from the Highlanders, who rallied with three converted tries to tie the score at 30-30.

After substitutes Sias Ebersohn and Chris Noakes traded penalties, Ebersohn missed a sitter in the final two minutes and the Highlanders capitalised on that error as Noakes kicked the winning goal in the final minute.