Late turnover decides tight Currie Cup encounter
The Toyota Cheetahs edged out DHL Stormers XXIII by 31-26 in a dramatic Carling Currie Cup match at Athlone Stadium on Sunday. The Free State side secured the victory with a try after the hooter, denying the home development XV a potentially shareable result despite the hosts earning two bonus points.
The match swung several times. The Stormers started strongly and were initially frustrated by the Cheetahs’ defence, with two held-up efforts before scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer crossed to open the scoring and give the hosts the early edge. The visitors responded when wing Prince Nkabinde crossed and their set-piece began to dictate proceedings, allowing them to settle into the contest.
Stormers' forward pressure produced a second try just before half-time: hooker Vernon Paulo bullied over to extend the lead to 14-5 at the interval. The Cheetahs struck first after the break, cutting the deficit before the Stormers reclaimed daylight when replacement Wandile Mlaba powered over from close range.
With the clock winding down it became a tense affair. Right wing Michael Annies crossed for the Cheetahs to narrow the margin to two points with around 10 minutes remaining. The hosts then drew level when Mlaba charged over for a second try, only for the visitors to find a decisive score after the final whistle had sounded.
Scoring summary and XVs
The match scoring was as follows:
| Team | Tries | Conversions / Penalties | Final Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| DHL Stormers XXIII | Ungerer, Paulo, Mlaba (2) | Jean-Luc du Plessis (3 conversions) | 26 |
| Toyota Cheetahs | Nkabinde, Miller, Annies, penalty try | Du Plessis (2 conversions) | 31 |
The Stormers named the following starting line-up:
- 15 Dylan Miller, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Markus Muller, 12 Cornel Smit, 11 Mfundo Ndhlovu
- 10 Jean‑Luc du Plessis (captain), 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Divan Fuller, 7 Louw Nel, 6 Xola Nyali
- 5 Gary Porter, 4 Tom Barnard, 3 Danie Kruger, 2 Vernon Paulo, 1 Hencus van Wyk
Replacements used by the hosts included Altus Rabe, Mhleli Khuzwayo, Herman Lubbe, Luan Botha, Wandile Mlaba, Ezekiel Ngobeni, Kyle Smith and Gino Cupido.
What it means for the competition
The result keeps the Cheetahs competitive in the Carling Currie Cup table while the Stormers’ development side will take heart from a strong showing despite the narrow loss. Earning two bonus points — one for scoring multiple tries and a second for the close margin — softens the blow for the hosts and will matter when the log is finalised over the coming weeks.
For the Cheetahs, the late score underlines their ability to remain dangerous until the final whistle and to capitalise on pressure moments away from home. For the Stormers’ younger players, the encounter provided valuable game time against provincial opposition with a lot at stake.
Players to watch and provincial context
Several individuals stood out. Stefan Ungerer’s first-half delivery and Wandile Mlaba’s double on introduction both highlighted the Stormers’ attacking options close to the line. On the Cheetahs’ side, Prince Nkabinde and Michael Annies supplied finishing power out wide.
Provincially, the match is a reminder that Cheetahs rugby remains a focal point for Free State supporters as they chase meaningful Currie Cup performances. Results such as this, on the road, can influence momentum as teams push toward the business end of the competition.
Practical follow-up
- Fans can expect both sides to make tactical adjustments ahead of their next fixtures as coaches review late-game decision-making and set-piece execution.
- For spectators tracking the table, bonus points from matches like this will prove decisive in tight qualification races.
The match at Athlone was contested on Sunday, 9 August 2026, and produced a compelling finish that will be dissected by both camps in the days ahead.
