Johannesburg - Griqualand West secured their first away victory over the Free State Cheetahs in 13 years in their Currie Cup match in Bloemfontein on Friday.
The Griquas won 28-18.
The visitors last beat the Cheetahs in a Currie Cup match in Bloemfontein in 1996 when they won 25-12 with a side that included current coach Dawie Theron.
It has been 11 years since Griquas succeeded in defeating the Cheetahs in the competition - in Kimberley in 1998 in Kimberley when they won 48-28. The Griquas also managed to bag a bonus point, scoring four tries.
The Griquas are known to struggle away from home but with this victory they took the first step in ridding themselves of the unwanted tag.
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Griquas scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius played superbly, giving the few supporters who braved a chilly Bloemfontein evening something to cheer about. He was, however, yellow carded by referee Phillip Bosch early in the second half.
The Cheetahs scored twice, through left winger Lionel Mapoe and prop WP Nel, while the visitors were one man short. But Pretorius scored with his first touch after returning from the sin bin, keeping his side in the match.
The visitors led 7-6 at the break after a try by flanker Heinrich Stride.
Cheetahs flyhalf Jacques-Louis Potgieter and his replacement, Louis Strydom, missed three goal kicks between them at crucial stages in the match.
Griquas centre Barry Geel scored the try that clinched the victory for the visitors after winger Bj�¶rn Basson charged down a clearance kick by the Cheetahs. Basson scored the bonus point try for Griquas five minutes from the end.
Scorers: Griqualand West 28 (7) - Tries: Heinrich Stride, Sarel Pretorius, Barry Geel, Bj�¶rn Basson. Conversions: Naas Olivier 4. Free State 18 (6) - Try: Lionel Mapoe, WP Nel. Conversion: Louis Strydom. Penalties: Jacques-Louis Potgieter 2. - Sapa
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