The previously winless Cheetahs threw the Super 14 playoff race wide open by beating fellow South African side the Sharks 31-6 on Saturday.
The pre-tournament favourite Sharks had opened up a three-point lead and, with five of their final six games at home in Durban, were expected to canter into the semifinals.
The Cheetahs, who had lost their first seven matches, put on one of their finest performances with four unanswered tries for a resounding victory, their first in this season’s competition.
The Sharks remain top of the table with 30 points from nine matches, with New Zealand’s Waikato Chiefs still in second on 27, despite not playing this weekend.
South Africa’s Bulls moved into third place on 27 points after they ground down the New South Wales Waratahs 20-6.
The Bulls, who play the ACT Brumbies next week, will have to wait until at least Monday to see if they will have the services of Bakkies Botha, cited after the match for striking.
Botha had been penalised by referee Jonathan Kaplan for striking Waratahs captain Phil Waugh with his elbow during the match.
The Waratahs, who suffered their first loss at home in two years, are in fourth place, also on 27 points, with another five teams in a log jam behind them, just one bonus-point win away from making the top four.
The Wellington Hurricanes (24), Auckland Blues (23) and Otago Highlanders (22) all won over the weekend, with the champion Canterbury Crusaders, who had a bye, on 22 points. All four have played a game less than the Waratahs.
The ACT Brumbies also improved to 22 points after they produced a gusty effort to beat the Stormers 17-10 in an emotionally-charged match following the death of lock Shawn Mackay earlier in the week.
Mackay died on Monday in a Durban hospital after contracting a blood infection following surgery for injuries sustained when he was hit by a car.
”We’ll dedicate every game from now on in to Macca and hopefully we can do his family proud,” fullback Mark Gerrard said after he kicked four penalties. ”We’ll celebrate his life by winning games of rugby.”
The fifth-placed Hurricanes scored two tries in the final four minutes, including the match winner after the hooter sounded to snatch a 28-27 victory over the Western Force.
The Blues beat South Africa’s Lions 36-12 at Eden Park, while the Highlanders won their third successive match with a 24-19 victory over the Queensland Reds. – Reuters