The Cheetahs lost 29–27 to Bayonne in their EPCR Challenge Cup opener in France on Sunday, after a Herschel Jantjies try and Rob du Preez conversion overturned the visitors’ second-half lead.

Bayonne led 22–13 at half-time at Stade Jean-Dauger, but the Cheetahs scored two converted tries after the interval to move five points ahead. Jantjies then levelled the score, with Du Preez’s conversion providing the final margin.

The result, confirmed by the competition’s match centre and the Cheetahs, gave the French side victory in the opening round of Pool 1 on 18 October.

Tiaan Swanepoel put the Cheetahs ahead with an early penalty. Michael Annies followed with their first try, and Swanepoel’s conversion extended the lead to 10–0.

Bayonne responded with tries from Facundo Bosch and Federico Mori. Du Preez converted Mori’s score to put the hosts ahead before Swanepoel’s second penalty restored a narrow Cheetahs lead.

Yohan Orabe then crossed for Bayonne, and Bosch added his second try before the break to give the home side a nine-point advantage.

CJ Coetzee and Louis van der Westhuizen scored the Cheetahs’ second-half tries. Swanepoel converted both, taking the visitors into a 27–22 lead.

Swanepoel missed two further penalty attempts before Jantjies crossed for Bayonne’s fifth try. Du Preez added the conversion, and neither side scored again.

The Cheetahs finished with three tries, three conversions and two penalties. Bayonne scored five tries and converted two.

The Cheetahs’ next scheduled Challenge Cup match is against the Dragons at St Helen’s in Swansea on 13 December, according to the club’s fixture list.