A late try and a penalty by the Sharks saw them earn a 19-13 victory over the Cheetahs in Durban to move up to third.

The Sharks led the match for the majority of the match, but the Cheetahs conceded numerous penalties throughout to see the team from Durban control the game.

The Cheetahs lock Carl Wegner and winger Rosko Specman each also earned a yellow card, with both coming in a crucial stage of the game. Wegner was sent to the sin bin on the stroke of half time, while Specman went to the naughty chair with close two ten minutes remaining in the game.

The Cheetahs also missed their jumpers on several occasions when they were in a good attacking position, and this did not help the cause at all.

Fourie says they have just themselves to blame for the defeat.

“It's always difficult in Durban this time of the year, and with the humidity, it is going to get more difficult.

“We had a game plan set out for how we wanted to play against the Sharks. We were in the lead with four minutes to go and made an error right at the end.

“In my opinion, discipline cost us. There were two yellow cards, plenty of penalties and missed opportunities, especially in the first half.”

Before the match, the Springbok centre, Frans Steyn, was withdrawn from the team after he sustained a groin injury. While one man does not make a team, the Cheetahs did most certainly miss his experience in the backline.

The Cheetahs are expected to receive news on the midfielder's injury on Monday.

In the weekend's other games, the Stormers hammered the Tafel Lager Griquas 39-6, and the Bulls beat the Lions 30-25.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport