Last-gasp penalty gives Cheetahs victory in Bloem

Cape Town - A final minute penalty by flyhalf Niel Marais gave the Cheetahs a thrilling victory over Connacht in their PRO14 clash in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

The Cheetahs won 26-25 after leading 16-15 at half-time.

The Cheetahs looked to be on course for their fourth successive defeat until Marais stepped up to send the home fans away happy.

The result strengthens the Cheetahs’ position in third spot in Conference A and they look likely to progress to the playoffs.

In their next match on Friday, March 23, the Cheetahs will travel to Newport in Wales to face the Dragons.

Kick-off is at 21:35 SA time.

Scorers:

Cheetahs

Tries: Uzair Cassiem, Sibhale Maxwane

Conversions: Niel Marais (2)

Penalties: Marais (4)

Connacht

Tries: Matt Healy (2), Eoin Griffin

Conversions: Jack Carty (2)

Penalties: Carty (2)

Teams:

Cheetahs

15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Craig Barry, 13 Francois Venter (captain), 12 Nico Lee, 11 Luther Obi, 10 Niel Marais, 9 Zee Mkhabela, 8 Uzair Cassiem, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Paul Schoeman, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Justin Basson, 3 Johan Coetzee, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Ox Nche

Substitutes: 16 Jacques du Toit, 17 Charles Marais, 18 Tom Botha , 19 Renier Bernardo, 20 Oupa Mohoje, 21 Tian Meyer, 22 Fred Zeilinga, 23 Sibhale Maxwane

Connacht

15 Tiernan O’Halloran, 14 Cian Kelleher, 13 Eoin Griffin, 12 Pita Ahki, 11 Matt Healy, 10 Jack Carty, 9 Caolin Blade, 8 John Muldoon (captain), 7 Jarrad Butler, 6 Sean O’Brien, 5 James Cannon, 4 Ultan Dillane, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Tom McCartney, 1 Denis Buckley.