The Bloemfontein side will leave France knowing they had a genuine opportunity to pull off a memorable victory. Despite facing a formidable opponent and having had limited exposure to top-level opposition in the build-up, the Cheetahs refused to back down and pushed Bayonne to the final whistle.

There were moments when the visitors looked capable of taking control, only to let their hosts back into the contest. However, their determination and willingness to attack ensured the match remained on a knife-edge until the final moments.

Bayonne had their share of nervous moments late in the game, particularly at lineout time. The French side failed to secure their final three lineouts, handing possession back to the Cheetahs on multiple occasions.

Tiaan Swanepoel landed three conversions and two penalties. Photo: Morgan Piek

Unfortunately for the visitors, they could not turn those opportunities into the points needed to snatch victory.

While the result will sting, the Cheetahs can take encouragement from a performance that demonstrated their ability to compete, fight back, and put a quality European side under serious pressure. This should replace the 31-28 defeat to Racing92 in Paris as the new standard, as the Cheetahs did play well and would have deserved a victory.

The visitors made an encouraging start, opening the scoring after building a solid platform from a lineout. They moved the ball swiftly across the backline, allowing Michael Annies to cut inside from the wing and finish superbly for the opening try.

Bayonne responded through their powerful rolling maul, which would prove a significant weapon throughout the afternoon. Tiaan Swanepoel kept the Cheetahs in front with a penalty, but the hosts soon found their rhythm.

Federico Mori exploited a gap in the midfield before accelerating through the defence and racing approximately 40 metres to score, handing Bayonne the lead for the first time.

The home side continued to make their physical advantage count, crossing the tryline again through another rolling maul, with Yohan Orabe getting the touchdown. Facundo Bosch then added his second try of the afternoon as Bayonne built a commanding 22-13 advantage at half-time.

Carel-Jan Coetzee. Photo: Morgan Piek

The Cheetahs faced an uphill battle after the break, but their response was exactly what their supporters would have wanted to see.

They came out with renewed purpose and immediately put Bayonne under pressure. A well-weighted grubber kick created the opening for CJ Coetzee, who reacted sharply to gather the ball and score, breathing fresh life into the contest.

The visitors then turned the tables physically, producing a rolling maul of their own that left Bayonne scrambling. Namibian international Chucky van der Westhuizen finished from close range as the Cheetahs surged into a 27-22 lead around the hour mark.

Suddenly, an upset was firmly on the cards.

Chucky van der Westhuizen. Photo: Morgan Piek

However, just as the Bloemfontein side appeared ready to build on their advantage, a costly turnover proved decisive. Bayonne launched a swift counter-attack, with Herschel Jantjies finishing the move to swing the momentum back in the hosts’ favour.

The Cheetahs continued to throw everything at Bayonne in the closing stages, but their execution in the decisive moments let them down. With the hosts struggling to secure their lineout possession, the door remained open for a dramatic late twist, yet the visitors could not find the finishing touch.

In the end, Bayonne escaped with a narrow two-point victory, leaving the Cheetahs to settle for a losing bonus point.

The Cheetahs’ next game will be on 13 December when they face the Dragons of Newport at St. Helen’s in Swansea.

Scorers:

Bayonne: Tries - Facundo Bosch 2, Federico Mori, Yohan Orabé, Herschel Jantjies Conv. - Rob du Preez 2

Cheetahs: Tries - Michael Annies, Carel-Jan Coetzee, Chucky van der Westhuizen Conv. - Tiaan Swanepoel 3 Pen. - Tiaan Swanepoel 2

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cvs