Kabamba Floors rocked the Bulls' boat

Sending South African Sevens star Kabamba Floors on was the Cheetahs' last throw of the dice, almost an afterthought. But he turned out to be his team's trump card in the Cheetahs' 29-25 Currie Cup Final win over the Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld at the weekend.

Cheetahs coach Rassie Erasmus admitted afterwards that he was getting somewhat desperate when his team was trailing 25-12 in the final quarter.

"I honestly didn't think we could fight back when the score was 25-12," Erasmus said in his post-match reaction. "I looked at the replacement bench and Kabamba's scrumcap caught my eye. I knew he was my last chance."

Floors, who has delighted crowds with his energetic displays on the Sevens circuit, certainly left his mark on the game in no uncertain terms.

"His level of play was a turning point in the match. He performed excellent tackles and turned over possession with his tackling. He was my trump card," the coach said.

One of those impressive tackled executed by Floors was on the Bulls' Bok replacement Danie Rossouw.

Erasmus' tactic of using three loosehead props on the bench proved to be another masterstroke.

"Many said the mix between Wian du Preez, Ollie le Roux and Os du Randt was a recipe for disaster. But it was their attitude and commitment that were decisive," Erasmus said.

"People should remember that props do not only scrum. They have to be able to defend, especially in mauls and line-outs. Props support the jumpers. Against a team such as the Bulls the props perform the most tackles," the coach said.