This time a 44th minute red card to the flanker, Jacques Potgieter, cost the Cheetahs dearly as they were still trailing 19-18 at that stage.

Despite a valiant comeback attempt in the last 5 minutes, it was a bridge to far for the Cheetahs.

The Cheetahs coach, Hawies Fourie, lamented the red card.

“It was tough losing Jacques just after half time. I had to make a call to play with either seven forwards or with six backs.

“We came back and got two points out of the game, but it's still disappointing.

“I feel that we started well enough and dominated the game for the first 20 to 25 minutes.

“I still believe that if it wasn't for the red card and it was 15 on 15, we would have had a decent chance to win the game.”

Next up for the Cheetahs will be the derby against the Tafel Lager Griquas in Bloemfontein. The Peacock Blues beat the Cheetahs in round two of the competition and this will serve as motivation for the team from Kimberley. The Griquas have lost their last two games on the trot following a three-match unbeaten run away from home.

Fourie added that their defence at the maul will need attention in the coming days ahead of the derby.

“The most important thing for me would be the stopping of the maul. The Sharks scored two maul tries and sometimes got a penalty after a maul.

“Sometimes they mauled in their own half and got penalty and mauled us again.

“It put a lot of pressure on our defence and they scored 12 points off that.

“That's the next thing that we need to address. It's the most important thing to fix before the next game against the Griquas because they have got a very strong maul as well.”

The Cheetahs tackle the Griquas in Bloemfontein on Wednesday afternoon at 16:45.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport