The Toyota Cheetahs beat DHL Western Province 26-17 in Cape Town on Saturday to strengthen their Currie Cup title credentials.
The visitors took their time but showed why they must be fancied to go the distance in the competition as they grinded out a bonus point win.
It certainly wasn't a spectacle by any stretch and the small crowd that gathered for the clash ahead of the DHL Stormers against Munster at the same venue would've had a tough time watching large portions of the match.
The home side had the early advantage as they controlled the territorial battle but were unable to convert any of the ascendency into points.
The pressure finally told when hooker Andre-Hugo Venter bustled his way over the line. Kade Wolhuter knocked over the extras as the game finally had some points in the 15th minute.
The action then picked up as the Toyota Cheetahs hit back through a five-pointer from Gideon van der Merwe. DHL Western Province moved clear again in the 31st minute with a fantastic solo effort from wing Angelo Davids.
It was unfortunately one of the last moments to cheer about in a stop-start affair which was littered with mistakes. The advantage didn't last long as Reinhardt Fortuin danced through for the guest's second score with a skillful bit of running in the 34th minute.
The home led 14-12 at the break and would've hoped to take more confidence in the second half.
The halftime break didn't reduce the number of mistakes as both sides failed to find their groove with ball in hand.
It took nearly twenty minutes for the next scoring play when DHL Western Province went 17-12 ahead through a penalty from Wolhuter.
The Toyota Cheetahs showed their never say die attitude and forced themselves into the next gear. First they scored through replacement hooker Louis van der Westhuizen and then took full control of the game.
The contest was decided by a penalty try for the Toyota Cheetahs, their fourth of the afternoon, which kept them firmly in the hunt for a home semifinal.
Scorers:
DHL Western Province - Tries: Andre-Venter Hugo and Angelo Davids. Conversions: Kade Wolhuter (2). Yellow card: Corne Weilbach
Toyota Cheetahs - Tries: Gideon van der Merwe, Reinhardt Fortuin, Louis van der Westhuizen and Penalty Try. Conversion: Ruan Pienaar