New South African franchise take Currie Cup

A sensational final saw a surprise result with the under dogs the Free State Cheetahs creeping into the lead in the dying moment of the game to come out on top as 2005 Currie Cup Champions and give their captain Naka Drotski a fairy tale retirement party.

Down at the break 12-9, three penalties by the Bulls number 10 Morne Steyn and drop kick by Full back Johan Roets saw them lead the Free State men, who had three penalties kicked by "sure foot" Willem De Waal.

The second half cranked up, when against the run of play Akone Ndungane's do or die incept payed off and he ran the full length of the field to post a try under the posts. Steyn converted and the Bulls crept further ahead with a penalty moments later 22-9.

Things seemed bad for the Cheetahs as sure foot of De Waal missed a couple of penalties.

Then in a sour part of the game South Africa internationals Victor Matfield, Os Du Randt and Bryan Habana all had 10 minute periods in the bin as referee Jonathan Kaplan attempted to clean up the game and turn it back into a blockbuster. It worked and the Free State Cheetahs responded.

With the loss of Bulls Captain Anton Leonard to injury and the tactical replacement of Steyn with Derrick Hougaard, the Blue boys lost their shape and the Cheetahs reacted quickly with a brilliant team try that saw full back Bevin Fontein latch onto the end of a brilliant backline move and close the gap to just three points 25-22.

Then a mix up between Bulls half back Fourie Du Preez and Full back Johan Roets saw a high ball spilled out of the back door and the pill bounced up fortuitously for replacement Cheetah's back Meyer Mosman to coast in unopposed and the simple kick by De Waal put Free State ahead by four.

The Cheetahs played out the last five minutes on attack and their Captain Naka Drotski was a stand out performer on a stand out team that won 29 to 25.

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