The hard-fought victory at Toyota Stadium finally snapped the Cheetahs’ seven-match winless streak against the Peacock Blues. More importantly, it secured their place in both the SA Cup semi-finals and the Currie Cup Premier Division - the union’s biggest objective this season.

However, there is little time for celebration as the Free Staters now prepare for another massive challenge against the defending champions, the Pumas, in Nelspruit this week.

Friday night’s clash was a bruising derby between two fierce rivals, and the Cheetahs survived by the narrowest of margins. Griquas flyhalf Liam Koen’s late conversion attempt drifted just wide, denying the visitors a famous victory and allowing the hosts to breathe a massive sigh of relief.

It’s no secret that the Cheetahs have endured an inconsistent campaign. Following their disappointing 43-36 defeat to the Valke in Kempton Park, their semi-final hopes were hanging by a thread. A matter of centimetres could have completely changed the mood around Toyota Stadium this week, especially with the union currently undergoing a restructuring process.

Now, though, the knockout stages offer the Cheetahs an opportunity to reset and build momentum at the business end of the competition. While there are plenty of lessons to take from an underwhelming SA Cup campaign, there is also a sense that the team can still salvage something meaningful from the season.

Following the nail-biting win, Cheetahs coach Frans Steyn admitted that his side had ridden their luck in the closing stages, but said the result could provide a crucial confidence boost.

Munier Hartzenberg scoring the match-winning try - Morgan Piek

“My voice is almost gone - it was a little bit rough on the radio tonight, but we were lucky at the end,” said Steyn.

“You could see what it meant to the guys tonight. Griquas are a great outfit and Pieter Bergh has an ability to get them up every week. There’s definitely stuff we can learn from him, but I’m extremely proud.

“The players probably saved my ass tonight.”

Steyn stressed the importance of belief within the squad and said the victory could reignite confidence after a difficult few weeks.

“We believe in our guys and till the end I’ll believe in them,” he added.

“I’m just extremely proud of the effort they put in tonight. There’s still a lot of work for us. I think we put ourselves under pressure in situations where we didn’t need to.

“If we can take the lessons out of these last two weeks, especially the intensity we need to be at every week - not just the players, but the coaches as well - then we’ll be on a good path.”

The two-time Rugby World Cup winner added that the victory over their neighbours may be exactly the spark the team needed ahead of the knockout stages.

Neels Volschenk - Morgan Piek

“It’s exciting. Against the Valke our confidence took a knock, and my confidence took a knock as well. Hopefully the guys can take confidence out of tonight’s performance.

“Good luck to the team that faces us next, because we don’t have anything to lose.”

Friday’s SA Cup semi-final between the Pumas and the Cheetahs at Mbombela Stadium kicks off at 18:00. On Saturday at 13:00 the Griquas will entertain the Boland Cavaliers at the Suzuki Stadium in Kimberley.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport