Despite the loss of the inspirational Schalk Burger 11 minutes before the end of the match, 14-man Western Province scored a thrilling 35-17 win over the reigning Currie Cup champions Free State Cheetahs at Vodacom Park, on Saturday.

And WP picked a bonus point for four tries as well to keep their slender 2008 Currie Cup play-off hopes alive. They snatched their bonus point try in the dying minutes of the match after their 14-man defence absorbed tremendous pressure from the Cheetahs.

WP averted early danger when they stole the ball at a Cheetahs line-out in the second minute but the home side secured a vital turn-over four minutes later after which winger Wilton Pietersen scrambled in at the corner flag to open the scoring in the match.

Cheetahs centre Meyer Bosman converted splendidly from the touchline to give his side a 7-0 lead.

Indiscretions on the ground by the Cheetahs in the ensuing minutes allowed Province to close the gap after flyhalf Peter Grant was on target with two penalties (7-6).

The Cheetahs showed excellent defence as Province gained the upper hand with several penetrative raids deep inside the opposition half.

Province were rewarded for their efforts when their scrumhalf Ricky Januarie charged down an in-goal clearance kick by Cheetahs fullback Bevin Fortuin and gathered the stray ball to score in the 18th minute.

Grant was on target with the conversion (13-7).

Three minutes later Bosman reduced the deficit for the Cheetahs with a penalty (13-10).

Province loosie Burger was adjudged to have interfered with a Cheetahs jumper at a line-out and referee Phillip Bosch ordered the offender to the sin bin in the 29th minute. Meyer failed with his penalty attempt.

The Cheetahs stepped up a gear as they looked to exploit the sin-binning but they had to wait for eight minutes before they could breach the WP defence as their speedster Fabian Juries wormed his way down the touchline on the left flank before scoring his side's second try.

Meyer converted to give the Cheetahs the lead for the second time in the match (17-13).

But Province bounced back with an unconverted try through Joe Pietersen to regain the lead on the stroke of halftime and after an excellent run by their Fijian international Sireli Naqelevuki (18-17).

Pietersen had entered the fray as a substitute only two earlier after fullback Conrad Janjties was forced to leave the field with a blood injury.

The Cheetahs threatened at the outset of the restart when Juries enjoyed a clear run inside the Province half but Januarie scrambled back in defence with a try-saving tackle in the 43rd minute.

There were a few more raids by the Cheetahs who threatened the WP tryline but Province absorbed the pressure to keep their slender lead intact.

Province bounced back against the run of play after their hooker Schalk Brits snatched the ball from a Cheetahs tap at the line-out and broke powerfully before sending in lock Andries Bekker to record their side's third try. Grant added the conversion to open an eight-point lead in the 49th minute (25-17).

This advance seemed to lift Province's game and they went on to produce a sustained spell of entertaining rugby and although they failed to crack the Cheetahs' defence they consolidated their grip on the game when Grant goaled a 58th minute penalty (28-17).

The Cheetahs tried hard to claw their way back into the game but they spoilt a few promising movements with sloppy handling.

Province were reduced to 14 players for the second time in the game, except this time the loss of player was permanent. Burger was red-carded for a dangerous high tackle on his Springbok teammate Juan Smith in the 69th minute.

In the remaining 11 minutes of play Province was forced to settle for a defensive role and they rose to the occasion superbly when they thwarted one Cheetahs' attack after the other.

But the gods smiled on the Cape Town visitors when Jean de Villiers celebrated his first appointment as Province skipper when he intercepted a pass in the Cheetahs backline and raced in from about 80 metres to score a bonus point try. Grant added the conversion in injury time to round off a thrilling 35-17 win.

Sapa