Top matches of 2014 - 9) Chiefs v Bulls/Cheetahs

The Chiefs snatched a draw against the Bulls before earning the same result against the Cheetahs. Photo / Getty

The Herald counts down the greatest sporting encounters of the year.

Lightning really can strike twice.

At least it did during an extraordinary eight-day period in the Republic, when the Chiefs sealed dramatic draws against a pair of South African sides with the last kick of the game.

First, it was the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld. The Chiefs trailed 34-15 with 10 minutes to play and defeat seemed the only possible outcome. But Gareth Anscombe and his teammates had other ideas, embarking on a three-try spree to clinch a share of the spoils.

Anscombe sparked the resurgence in the 70th minute, combining brilliantly with fellow substitutes Tim Nanai-Williams and Augustine Pulu to cover the length of the field and grab what appeared nothing more than consolation. But, after Matt Symons grabbed a bonus-point, try the Chiefs were left with one final chance.

They had already strung together a dozen phases inside their own half as the clock ticked into the final minute, before Asaeli Tikoirotuma burst away from a ruck and found support from Andrew Horrell. The centre was brought down short of the line by the frantic cover defence, but his popped pass found Aaron Cruden who dove for the corner and barely grounded the ball across the line.

Anscombe was left with the sideline conversion to level the scores and coolly stroked it through the sticks for what was the most exciting conclusion to a game in the Super Rugby season.

For a week, at least. The following Saturday the Chiefs travelled to Bloemfontein to tackle the Cheetahs and promptly set themselves an even tougher challenge than the one they encountered the previous week, falling behind 34-10 at halftime.

There was nothing in the first 40 minutes to suggest the Chiefs were capable of coming back but, four unanswered tries later, they faced the exact same scenario as they encountered against the Bulls.

After Tim Nanai-Williams crossed following the final hooter to make it 43-41, it was Cruden's turn to face a crucial conversion. This time, though, it was right in front of the posts and the first five had no problem sealing a second straight draw.

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