The Free State Cheetahs came within a minute of a famous victory over Racing 92 in Paris, but a try at the death saw the home side prevail 31–28.
There was only pride at stake in this Challenge Cup encounter as both teams had already been eliminated from the race to the playoffs. However, the Cheetahs showed great courage and came close to defeating coach Frans Steyn’s former club.
Not long after kick-off, flanker Daniel Maartens showed good pace to finish off an interception try. His opposite number, Auguste Albuisson, dived over for a response after Racing had camped on the Cheetahs’ line.
The Cheetahs’ discipline let them down as a series of tackles around the neck resulted in penalties, a yellow card for Aranos Coetzee, and a disallowed try. Number eight Hacjivah Dayimani, the former Lion and Stormer, then scored Racing’s next try.
Numbers were levelled on the scoreboard when Racing illegally prevented a try. The referee awarded a penalty try and yellow-carded a French player. Racing soon lost a second forward to the sin bin for a similar offence. The Cheetahs, back at full strength, took a scrum and wing Prince Nkabinde motored over for a 21–14 half-time lead.
Racing wing Nolann Dongu scored early in the second half, though there was a massive let-off for the Cheetahs when the other wing, Fijian Selestino Ravutaumada, bizarrely dropped the ball while placing it over the tryline.
Racing did eventually take the lead a few minutes later when lock Jonny Hill barged over from a quick tap penalty. The Cheetahs kept fighting and regained the lead in the 70th minute via centre Zander du Plessis.
Sadly for the Free Staters, French international Gaël Fickou scored the match-winning try in the final movement of the game.
Scoreboard
Racing 92 (14) 31
Tries: Auguste Albuisson, Hacjivah Dayimani, Nolann Dongu, Jonny Hill, Gael Fickou. Conversions: Antoine Gibert (3)
Free State Cheetahs (21) 28
Tries: Daniel Maarten, Penalty Try, Prince Nkabinde, Zander du Plessis; Conversions: Jaco van der Walt (2)
