Cape Town - Cheetahs Naka Drotské says they had more than enough chances to beat the Brumbies, despite a controversial late penalty sinking them.

The Brumbies won their Super Rugby clash in Canberra 24-23 after centre Christian Lealiifano kicked a penalty after the hooter had sounded.

Referee Keith Brown awarded a dubious penalty to the home side after he felt the Cheetahs deliberately turned the scrum.

Brown punished the Cheetahs on several occasions, especially at the scrums.

But Drotské told the Volksblad newspaper they have only themselves to blame after squandering a 23-10 second-half lead.

"It's disappointing. The guys played well but we gave the Brumbies too much momentum when we defended in our own half.

"A couple of botched passes in our own half cost us," said Drotské.

Despite Bok flanker Heinrich Brüssow being his ever-impressive self at the breakdowns, he seemed to get little support from his team-mates in this area. The Cheetahs lost possession several times when in good attacking positions and the coach admits it's a problem.

"We weren't physical enough at the breakdowns.

"We had our chances to win, but wrong options cost us."

A welcome boost for the men from Bloemfontein is that centre Andries Strauss, who was suspended for two weeks for a dangerous tip tackle in Round 1 against the Lions, will be back for this weekend’s clash against the Rebels in Melbourne.

Lock George Earle (back/neck) and prop Coenie Oosthuizen (foot) picked up small injuries against the Brumbies but according to Drotské they should be ready for the Rebels game.