While a scrappy Cheetahs outfit managed to salvage two bonus points from the defeat, this shock loss could come back to haunt them, with their Currie Cup Premier Division qualification hopes now hanging by a thread.

The Cheetahs will have to win their remaining fixtures - including a tough clash against the Griquas - and will likely need results elsewhere to go their way. Matters were made worse as the Boland Cavaliers and SWD Eagles both secured important victories over the weekend.

Ethan Wentzel scored two tries for the Cheetahs - Morgan Piek

The hosts struck early at Barnard Stadium, with flanker Godfrey Muzanargwo crossing in just the third minute to give the Valke the perfect start.

The Cheetahs responded in the 11th minute when captain Chucky van der Westhuizen dotted down, with Jaco van der Walt adding the extras to level matters. Further tries from Marco Jansen van Vuren, Michael Annies and Ethan Wentzel saw the visitors take firm control, opening up a 24–7 lead by the 32nd minute.

However, former Shimla Mosolwa Mafuma hit back just before half-time to give the Valke a lifeline, reducing the deficit to 24–12 at the break.

Michael Annies scored a try and had one held up - Morgan Piek

The second half belonged to the hosts. Around 12 minutes after the restart, Sergio Stalmeester crossed for the first of his two tries before completing his brace to hand the Valke the lead again at 28–24.

Wentzel responded with his second try in the corner to edge the Cheetahs back in front, but the momentum had shifted. Late tries from Kayden Kiewit and Dirk Lourens swung the contest decisively in favour of the Valke as the Cheetahs’ resistance faded.

A late try by the lanky Jean Venter in the 78th minute gave the visitors a glimmer of hope, but a penalty right in front of the posts allowed replacement flyhalf Tylor Sefoor - formerly of CUT Ixias and the Griquas - to put the result beyond doubt.

Chucky van der Westhuizen opened the scoring for the Cheetahs  - Morgan Piek

Defensively, the Cheetahs were well below par, and they return to Bloemfontein with plenty to ponder ahead of next week’s clash against the Border Bulldogs in East London.

Meanwhile, on Friday night, Boland thrashed the Leopards 33–12 in Potchefstroom, while the SWD Eagles hammered the Griffons 45–24 in George, with both sides moving ahead of the Cheetahs on the log.

Scorers: 

Valke: Tries - Godfrey Muzanargwo, Mosolwa Mafuma, Sergio Stalmeester 2, Kayden Kiewit, Dirk Lourens Conv. - Stalmeester 4, Tylor Sefoor Pen. - Sefoor

Cheetahs: Tries - Chucky van der Westhuizen, Marco Jansen van Vuren, Michael Annies, Ethan Wentzel 2, Juan Venter Conv. - Jaco van der Walt 3

Morgan Piek OFM Sport