De Klerk finished in the corner after the Cheetahs patiently worked their way through 30 phases, capping an impressive passage of play to secure five crucial points.

It was a fitting ending to an absorbing contest, although both sides will feel they left plenty on the field during a match littered with mistakes, missed opportunities and moments of frustration.

The Stormers will particularly rue their discipline.

Stefan Ungerer - Stormers

They led 21-12 with less than 25 minutes remaining, but their momentum was derailed when Wandile Mlaba was shown a yellow card for a dangerous tackle. The Cheetahs immediately made the extra man count, with Michael Annies crossing soon afterwards.

Mlaba had barely returned to the field when Xola Nyali was also yellow-carded for deliberately knocking the ball down while defending. The resulting penalty put the Cheetahs 26-21 ahead and suddenly the momentum had swung dramatically in the visitors' favour.

The Stormers had looked the more comfortable side for large periods of the first half and led 14-5 after creating several promising opportunities in attack.

The Stormers still led 21-12 win less than 20 minutes to play - Stormers

Their biggest concern, however, was at scrum time, where loosehead prop Hencus van Wyk came under sustained pressure from the Cheetahs pack.

After conceding a fourth scrum penalty and receiving a warning from the referee, the former Cheetahs stalwart was withdrawn after 30 minutes.

Earlier, Stefan Ungerer crossed for the Stormers' opening try after they made a bright start.

The Cheetahs responded through Prince Nkabinde, but the home side continued to threaten and created enough opportunities to justify their advantage when Vernon Paulo scored their second try.

The second half was a different story. The Cheetahs came out with greater urgency and immediately put the Stormers under pressure. Neels Volschenk crossed to bring the visitors back into the contest before the match descended into a frantic final quarter.

Mlaba was a major influence for the Stormers despite his yellow card. He scored the try that put the hosts 21-12 ahead and, with just a minute remaining, crossed again to bring the scores level at 26-26.

The conversion proved decisive. With the wind making life difficult for the kickers, Kyle Smith was unable to convert, leaving the door open for the Cheetahs.

Neels Volschenk - Morgan Piek

And they took it. The visitors patiently retained possession, stringing together 30 phases before De Klerk spotted the opportunity and darted into the corner to seal a dramatic 31-26 victory.

It was the kind of moment that demonstrated exactly why having an experienced Springbok in your ranks can make such a difference.

There was concern for Cheetahs fullback Clayton Blommetjies, who was carried from the field on a stretcher in the second half. Cheetahs coach Frans Steyn said after the match that Blommetjies had likely suffered a concussion.

Steyn admitted afterwards that his side had made a sluggish start and were punished by a young Stormers outfit that showed plenty of attacking ambition.

“I think we were a little bit asleep at the beginning. Maybe we thought it was going to be easier,” said Steyn.

He was also full of praise for the Stormers' junior system and the quality coming through their ranks.

“But I think the Stormers, or Western Province, or whatever you call them now, their junior rugby programme is something we can all learn from.

“There are a lot of young guys there who can slot into any URC team tomorrow. They put in massive shifts, and there’s a lot of respect for the system and what they’re doing here.”

Steyn was equally delighted with the impact of De Klerk, who has added considerable experience and composure to the Cheetahs squad.

Prince Nkabinde has now scored five tries this season - Morgan Piek

Asked about the Springbok scrumhalf's match-winning contribution, Steyn suggested De Klerk could become an even more important figure for the Free State side in the future.

“I don’t want to get involved. I’m not picking the Springbok team, I’m picking the Cheetahs,” Steyn said.

“And look, there’s always space for Faf with us. He’s still finding his feet and his voice in our squad, but we’re so happy to have him.

“Hopefully, one day he’ll take my job, I’ll get fired and all of that, and he can make an even bigger impact in Free State rugby.

Frankie Dos Reis dominated Hencus van Wyk in  the scrum and won four penalties for his team - Morgan Piek

“I mean, he’s massive – it’s a big thing for us to have Faf, so it’s massive.”

The Cheetahs now turn their attention to next Sunday's clash against the bottom-of-the-log Bulls at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

Scorers

Stormers: Tries - Stefan Ungerer, Vernon Paulo, Wandile Mlaba 2 Conv. - Jean-Luc du Plessis 3

Cheetahs: Tries - Prince Nkabinde, Neels Volschenk, Michael Annies, Penalty try, Faf de Klerk Conv. - Zander du Plessis 2

Morgan Piek OFM Sport