PARMA – Substitute Fred Zeilinga hit a dramatic late penalty as the Cheetahs claimed a thrilling 24-23 win in the last minute away at Conference B rivals Zebre at Stadio Lanfranchi, Parma, on Saturday evening.
Tries from Matteo Minozzi and Oliviero Fabiani seemingly set the hosts on course for victory, while Carlo Canna was deadly from the tee against the South Africans.
But the visitors were dangerous throughout and scored two tries of their own from Makazole Mapimpi – the second setting up a grandstand finish.
And Zeilinga came off the bench to kick the winning points, earning his side their first-ever away win in the PRO14.
Following a one-point defeat to Edinburgh Rugby last time out, Zebre had a point to prove, but they faced a substantial challenge against a Cheetahs side that had won two of their last three games.
And if Zebre needed any further evidence about the size of the task they were up against, then the Cheetahs gave it to them in the fifth minute.
A neat move resulted in Mapimpi, one of the league’s most dangerous wings, touching down for his sixth try of the season.
But Zebre buoyed on by their home supporters, rallied as Minozzi dotted down just minutes after Canna booted two of his three penalties.
The Italian flyhalf kicked another to give the home side an eight-point lead at the break and they stretched that when Fabiani rumbled over for a superb score.
Yet the Cheetahs hit back as Mapimpi scored his second of the match with a fine finish and Ernst Stapelberg slotted through three penalties.
Zebre thought they had done enough to win, but Zeilinga came off the bench to score the winning points, giving the away side their fourth win of the season.
Points-Scorers
Zebre 23 – Tries: Matteo Minozzi, Olivier Fabbiani. Conversions: Carlo Canna (2). Penalties: Canna (3).
Cheetahs 24 – Tries: Makazole Mapimpi (2). Conversion: Ernst Stapelberg (1). Penalties: Stapelberg (3), Fred Zeilinga (1).