The Cheetahs and the Highlanders played out an impressive 12-try spectacle in the Super Rugby this weekend, in which the latter overcame a 17-point deficit in the last five minutes to steal the win.

Three tries on the bounce saw the Highlanders edge out the tie, the pick of which was an end-to-end effort that involved just three players.

The movement was initiated by Fletcher Smith, who weaved through the opposition and carried the ball to almost the halfway line before offloading to Malakai Fekitoa.

With the Cheetahs caught napping, Smith slipped the ball out wide to Matt Faddes who charged down the wing to cross the whitewash and leave his side just five points adrift of the Cheetahs with the conversion to follow.

It was a superb move that deserved a try, and with full-time approaching, the Highlanders made one more surge for a score.

Their patient passing was rewarded when Waisake Naholo touched down for his second try of the night to secure a four-point victory, and a sixth successive Super Rugby win for the New Zealand side.