The match against Section Paloise was deadlocked at 6-6 in the 82nd minute when the pivot landed the three-pointer from a difficult angle and from far out to earn a hard-fought 9-6 victory.

The match was a must-win game for both teams, as it was a matter of winner takes all by advancing to the first knockout round of the competition.

Had Masuku missed the penalty, Pau would have advanced to the next round as both teams were equal on points after the group games; however, the French 'visitors' had a better points difference.

The match itself was a rather dull affair, with neither team taking control of the game, although the Cheetahs themselves let several chances of scoring slip through their fingers.

Masuku did a reasonably good job in the number ten jersey with the ball he did get, but he missed a fairly straight-forward penalty on the stroke of halftime, while he also failed to find touch with a three penalties in the second half. In total, the Cheetahs missed touch on three occasions in the second half, and they can count themselves very lucky that the French team didn’t punish them.

Fourie told OFM Sport that he knew that Masuka would earn the team the win as he has faith in Masuku’s ability with the boot on the righthand side of the field.

"This week he put in a lot of training with Albert Keuris - the kicking coach - and he was struggling from the other side of the field for the most part. He kicked really well from the right side of the field.

"I was kicking the balls back from behind the posts, so I know he was kicking during the week.

"The one thing that I was thankful of was that the penalty was on the righthand side of the pitch.

"It was quite a long-distance kick, and it was a bit dewy, so the ball was a bit wet and heavier than normal. But that was a sweet strike!

"That's why you practice and put in the hours when the other guys are sitting next to the field or are back on the bus, and you continue to kick at goal. That's the reward you get as a kicker.

"I thanked him for that kick - he made a few mistakes with the penalties that he didn't kick out, but I have forgiven him for that."

It has been confirmed that the Cheetahs will tackle the French giants, Toulon, in the next round on the weekend from 31 March to 2 April. But first, the team will earn some well-deserved time off.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek