The bottom-placed Cheetahs stunned the Crusaders 20-13 to end the Super 14 champions five-match unbeaten streak in Bloemfontein.

A late try to fullback Hennie Daniller gave the home side their second huge upset of the Super 14 season, after they defeated the Sharks in a 31-6 boilover a fortnight earlier.

Daniller had a great all-around game at Free State Stadium, kicking well and helping counter when the Cheetahs' loose forwards managed to turn over some of the Crusaders' possession.

He also was an important part of the Cheetahs' defensive effort, making many of the 110 tackles plus made by the home team.

The Crusaders dominated all phases of the game in the opening 20 minutes, and turned their possession into an easy 11th-minute try to scrumhalf Kahn Fotuali'i that was converted by Stephen Brett.

But the Cheetahs contested the breakdown, particularly through the efforts of openside flanker Heinrich Brussouw, to eventually set free centre Corne Uys, who passed for Springbok winger Jonghi Nokwe to run over unchallenged and score.

The conversion and a penalty from flyhalf Naas Olivier gave the Cheetahs a 10-7 lead at the break.

Brett and Olivier exchanged penalties in the opening 20 minutes of the second half, and the Cheetahs gradually managed to up the tempo in the closing stages of the match as the Crusaders slowed through the effects of altitude.

Replacement centre Piet van Zyl injected some incisiveness to the Cheetahs' attacks, and Olivier made a break before passing for Daniller to score the winning try.

Crusaders' replacement fullback, Leon MacDonald, kicked an injury-time penalty for the visitors to move within seven points and ensure a bonus point.

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