Cheetahs 34-40 Stormers: Sikhumbuzo Notshe scores crucial try for Stormers

Cheslin Kolbe had a great match for Stormers

Cheetahs lost 40-34 to fellow South African side Stormers on Saturday after a seesaw struggle, in what could be their last home Super Rugby match.

The match-winning score came seven minutes from time at Free State Stadium, Stormers hooker Bongi Mbonambi bursting through following a maul before sending loose forward Sikhumbuzo Notshe over.

Cheslin Kolbe, who began on the wing and moved to full-back when SP Marais was injured early on, converted the try to cap a wonderful performance, finishing with a 23-point personal tally, including three tries.

The match was all about pride as Stormers had already won the Africa 1 conference to secure a home quarter-final against New Zealand opposition.

Cheetahs remained third in the same section, having long ago fallen out of contention for a knockout-phase berth.

Kolbe needed just 99 seconds to open the scoring with a try in the corner and, after briefly trailing, the Stormers built a 16-point lead on 31 minutes.

However, a pushover try from hooker Elandre Huggett, which fly-half Niel Marais converted, narrowed the gap to 26-17 by half-time.

Cheetahs fell 13 points behind during the second half before tries from centre Clinton Swart and Springboks winger Raymond Rhule were converted by Marais, to give the hosts a one-point advantage.

But, as has been the case so often this season, the Bloemfontein outfit were unable to defend a lead in the closing stages and substitute Notshe became the match-winner.

The match finished on a sour note with Cheetah Henco Venter (elbowing opponent) and Stormer Rynardt Elstadt (retaliation) both red-carded.

Super Rugby will trim next year from 18 teams to 15 from Argentina, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa.

South Africa must shed two of their six teams and Cheetahs and Port Elizabeth-based Southern Kings are the media favourites to be axed when a decision is made next Friday.