The Cheetahs got the better of the Sharks in their Toyota Challenge encounter in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
The Bloemfontein franchise won 40-34, after leading 20-13 at half-time.
The Sharks outscored the Cheetahs by five tries to four, but it was the home side's flyhalf, Siya Masuku, who stole the show by kicking 20 points in a flawless goal-kicking display.
The Cheetahs will be chuffed with this effort, especially after coach Hawies Fourie said earlier in the week they wanted to prove they can be competitive against South Africa's United Rugby Championship teams.
The Cheetahs opened their campaign in the exhibition event with a 31-30 loss to Western Province last weekend, before thumping Diables Barcelona 99-15 in midweek.
The Toyota Challenge is hosted by the Bloemfontein franchise this month, with teams earning R250 000 for a victory.
There are also incentives for players making the most tackles, line breaks and turnovers on the ground.
The Player of the Match will win R10 000 for every match while the supporter who posts the most social media posts during the game with hashtag #ToyotaLegendSupport will win R10 000 and be crowned Supporter of the Match.
Scorers:
Cheetahs
Tries: Enver Brandt (2), David Brits (2)
Conversions: Siya Masuku (4)
Penalties: Masuku (4)
Sharks
Tries: Ruan Pienaar, Marnus Potgieter, Dian Bleuler, Anthony Volmink, Jeremy Ward
Conversions: Boeta Chamberlain (3)
Penalties: Chamberlain
?? FULL TIME | Toyota Cheetahs 40 – Cell C Sharks 34#CHEvSHA #LegendaryToughness #ToyotaChallenge @ToyotaSA pic.twitter.com/5sfAJbXGfz
— Toyota Cheetahs (@CheetahsRugby) November 20, 2021
Cheetahs
15 Cohen Jasper, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 David Brits, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Enver Brandt, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Aidon Davis (captain), 7 Jeandre Labuschagne, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Rynier Bernardo, 4 Victor Sekekete, 3 Beertjie van Vuuren, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Allulutho Tshakweni
Substitutes: 16 Wilmar Arnoldi, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Thembelani Bholi, 20 Oupa Mohoje/Lohan Potgieter, 21 Zinedene Booysen, 22 Brandon Thomson, 23 Evardi Boshoff
Sharks
15 Rynhardt Jonker, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Marnus Potgieter, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Boeta Chamberlain, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Henco Venter (captain), 7 Olajuwon Noa, 6 James Venter, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Le Roux Roets, 3 Khutha Mchunu, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Khwezi Mona
Substitutes: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Reniel Hugo, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Sanele Nohamba, 22 Jeremy Ward, 23 Aphelele Fassi