The Toyota Cheetahs snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in Amsterdam on Sunday, keeping their playoff hopes alive in the EPCR Challenge Cup.

The Cheetahs scored a last-second try at the NCRA Stadium in the Netherlands, securing a vital 22-18 win against Zebre, marking their first-ever victory in Amsterdam.

Facing defeat, replacement fullback Cohen Jasper scored a well-executed team try in the dying moments, ensuring the Cheetahs remain in contention for a playoff spot for the third season in a row.

Zebre opened the scoring in the second minute when scrumhalf Thomas Dominguez, son of the legendary Argentine-born Italian flyhalf Diego Dominguez, slotted a penalty to take a 3-0 lead. However, the Cheetahs struck back almost immediately, with Michael Annies scoring through a moment of individual brilliance.

Zebre regained the lead when Simone Gesi intercepted a pass to score, but the advantage shifted again as Ethan Wentzel converted a penalty for the Cheetahs. The joy was short-lived, as Dominguez added another three points for the Italian visitors.

Eighth-man Jeandré Rudolph scored a crucial try just before halftime, ensuring the Cheetahs led 17-11 at the break.

In the second half, Zebre's hooker, Tommaso di Bartolomeo, scored from a maul, giving the visitors a one-point lead in the 45th minute.

As the match neared its conclusion and it seemed like the URC team might dash the Cheetahs' hopes, Jasper flew in for the decisive try on the stroke of full time, securing the victory and four crucial points for the Bloemfontein-based side.

The Cheetahs’ coach, Izak van der Westhuizen, told OFM Sport that the win was significant and gave the team a much-needed boost of confidence going forward.

Jeandré Rudolph - Morgan Piek

“I said to the guys afterward, it’s our first win in Amsterdam—it’s a big moment for us,” said Van der Westhuizen. “We had a lot of disruptions in the build-up to this, with guys getting injured and others stepping in on short notice. I think we still managed to get the win in the end, and that just shows the players’ buy-in and their willingness to fight right to the end.

“This will definitely give us confidence. It’s going to be a very tough game ahead. We’re going to work through the niggles and injuries we have and then come up with the best possible plan.

“When it comes to these big games, the guys step up, and hopefully, that’s what we’ll see this weekend—because that’s exactly what we need.”

Rudolph was named as the Player of the Match for a second in a row after he also scored a try during the 20-20 draw against Perpignan in December.

Michael Annies - Morgan Piek

The victory may have come at a heavy price with both Annies and Friedle Olivier sustaining injuries. Annies injured his hamstring while Olivier injured his calf. The Cheetahs are also sweating over the shoulder of the flyhalf Wentzel.

The Cheetahs will now head to France, where they will face French Top 14 team Lyon on Saturday in another must-win Challenge Cup fixture.

Scorers:

Cheetahs: Tries – Michael Annies, Jeandré Rudolph, Cohen Jasper Conv. – Ethan Wentzel 2 Pen. – Wentzel

Zebre: Tries - Simone Gesi, Tommaso di Bartolomeo Conv. - Thomas Dominguez Pen. - Dominguez 2

Morgan Piek OFM Sport