PHOTO CREDIT: MARULA SALA

 An injury-time penalty goal by Siya Masuku secured the Toyota Cheetahs a 9-6 victory over Section Paloise in their final round EPCR Challenge Cup tie in Parma and booked the Free Staters' spot in the playoffs of the European competition, at the expense of their French opponents.

Nothing separated the teams before Masuku's final kick, which was out on the right at around 45m from the goal posts and came from a penalty conceded at the breakdown as the French club tried to run down the clock as a draw would have been enough for them to qualify for the round of 16.

The tryless encounter in Parma will probably not be remembered for long, but for supporters of the Toyota Cheetahs, it was just what they wanted as they finished with two wins and two defeats from their four pool matches.

Scorers:

Toyota Cheetahs 9(3) - Penalty goals: Siya Masuku (3)

Section Paloise 6(3) - Penalty goals: Thibault Debaes (2)