The Toyota Free State Cheetahs are Currie Cup Champions having defeated the Blue Bulls 36-16 in Bloemfontein.
It was the side's first meeting at this stage of the competition since the 2009 final which the Bulls won, and despite some good running rugby it was a first-half of penalties that dominated proceedings. Cheetahs' Neil Marais and Bulls' Tiaan Schoeman kicked early penalties but with the game tied at 3-3, Bulls' winger Jamba Ulengo was sin-binned for hands in the ruck after eight minutes.
It turned the tide back in the Cheetahs favour with Marais converting two further penalties before the 10th minute. It was a case of poor handling errors costing both teams in the final third and indiscipline at the breakdown giving both teams the only scoring chances.
Schoeman brought the Bulls back within striking distance but Cheetahs led by double scores at half-time as Marais kicked three more penalties to Schoeman's one for a 18-9 score at the break.
The Cheetahs began the second-half as they ended the first with but Marais sent his first attempt wide after the restart. Marais made no mistake with under a half hour to play before they sealed victory. Sergeal Petersen intercepted inside his own half and ran the length of the field before being brought down inside the Bulls 22. The ball was recycled and as the Bulls defence looked to recover, Clayton Blommetjies finished in the corner.
Fred Zeilinga added the conversion and a penalty for a 31-9 lead, and despite a consolation converted try from Piet van Zyl, the Bulls left it far too little, too late. Petersen put gloss on the scoreline in the final minutes with a try to secure the Cheetahs first Currie Cup victory since 2007.