Match Details

Highlanders (NZ)

VS

Cheetahs (SA)

21

Rugby Park, Invercargill Kick off times: 7:35pm (Local) Fri 30 Mar 5:35pm (AEST) Fri 30 Mar

17

It was a relieved Highlanders side that left Rugby Park in Invercargill on Friday night after they withstood late pressure to edge out the Cheetahs 21-17.

Both sides scored two tries and it was a match which could have gone either way as the Cheetahs attacked desperately in the final minutes.

The Highlanders seemed to have the match in hand at 21-10 but the Cheetahs battled back and, in the end, they were unlucky not to share the spoils.

Carl Hayman produced a dominant scrummaging performance for the Highlanders, James Ryan did well in the lineouts, loosie Craig Newby had a fine all-round game and halfback Jimmy Cowan was a match-saver on defence.

The Highlanders have now had four wins from eight games and their aspirations of making the playoffs remain, but only just. The Cheetahs have had three wins and a draw from eight games.

"It's a confidence booster for us," captain Josh Blackie said later. "The guys showed a lot of character."

Blackie also had a special word for Cowan: "He's been saving a few tries for us."

The Highlanders quickly made their way into Cheetahs' territory where they were awarded a penalty and Nick Evans goaled from 30 metres and close to touch.

The Cheetahs suffered a setback in the 10th minute when the loose-head prop, Wian du Preez, was sin-binned for an illegal shoulder charge. The Highlanders had the chance to pack eight against seven in a five-metre scrum but, surprisingly, they chose a lineout which the Cheetahs defended.

But two minutes later the Highlanders scored their first try, from broken play, when Evans sparked an attack with a clever kick, and an interchange of passing finished with Southland lock Kane Thompson crashing over.

Ollie le Roux, who replaced du Preez, was penalised at a set scrum and Evans kicked a fine penalty from 43 metres and 15 from touch to give the Highlanders an 11-0 lead after 19 minutes.

Evans struck the posts with another penalty attempt from 40 metres a few minutes later and wing Viliame Waqaseduadua, was unlucky not to score from his rebound from his quick following up.

But the Cheetahs struck back 12 minutes before the break when the Highlanders turned the ball over, the Cheetahs switched play from left to right and winger Eddie Fredericks outflanked the defence to score. Willem de Waal converted to make it 11-7.

The Highlanders lost fullback Glen Horton with a leg injury after 34 minutes, Charlie Hore replacing him and Evans going back to fullback.

The Highlanders led 11-7 at halftime but, after gaining 69 percent territory and 64 percent territory, they would have been disappointed not to have been further ahead.

They increased their lead five minutes into the second spell with a try by wing Lucky Mulipola. He chipped ahead, captain Josh Blackie gathered, drew in the defence and Mulipola sprinted 25 metres to the line. Hore converted to make it 18-7.

De Waal and Hore exchanged penalties and, 12 minutes into the half, the Highlanders led 21-10.

The Highlanders continued to exert scrum pressure through Hayman, Anton Oliver and Clarke Dermody but Hore missed a straightforward penalty chance to extend the lead.

The Cheetahs attacked strongly but, after the ball passed through several pairs of hands, halfback Jimmy Cowan made a magnificent, diving, try-saving tackle on replacement back Phillip Burger.

But the Cheetahs continued to attack and loose forward Kabamba Floors crashed over from a lineout for the try. Meyer Bosman converted to reduce the deficit to 17-21 with seven minutes remaining.

Hore had to carry the ball back for a five-metre scrum from a poor pass two minutes from the end and the Highlanders had to tackle desperately to defend their line, Cowan making another try-saving try in a thrilling finish.

Highlanders 21

Tries: Kane Thompson, Lucky Mulipola.

Conversions: Charlie Hore.

Penalty goals: Nick Evans 2, Hore

Cheetahs 17

Try: Eddie Fredericks, Kabamba Floors.

Conversions: Willem de Waal, Meyer Bosman

Penalty goals: De Waal