Central Cheetahs gained their first away win in three seasons when they upset Coastal Sharks 25-20 in an all-South Africa Super 14 match at Durban on Friday.

For the second week in succession, the Sharks, whose captain John Smit was playing his 100th Super 14 match, had to be satisfied with a bonus point for a narrow defeat at home.

They set off on a five-week away tour to Australia and New Zealand at the weekend.

Cheetahs showed greater commitment and conceded fewer penalties than their opponents in a match of many errors.

Captain Juan Smith said he was happy that his side had overcome the defensive frailties they showed in an opening weekend home loss against the Bulls.

"We're very happy," said Smith. "We didn't get the start we wanted last week when we made some silly mistakes in defence."

With both teams making numerous handling errors in hot, humid conditions, a largely dreary contest was enlivened by a 70-metre solo run for a try by Cheetahs full-back Riaan Viljoen after 24 minutes.

Sharks fullback Stefan Terblanche kicked ahead and Viljoen fielded the ball just outside his 22. Following up, Terblanche collided with a Cheetahs player and Viljoen ran down the middle of the field.

He fended off one would-be tackler and beat three other Sharks players as he sprinted to score under the posts.

Sharks scrum-half Rory Kockott was unable to repeat his perfect kicking form of the previous week when he landed six out of six penalties against Waikato Chiefs.

But although he missed two attempts at goal, he was successful with three others to make the score 10-9 in the Cheetahs' favour at half-time.

Sharks kept the ball in hand immediately after the break and took the lead three minutes into the second half when Ryan Kankowski scored in the right corner after a sweeping move.

Cheetahs regained the lead with three penalty goals, two from long range by Viljoen.

Although Kockott kicked another penalty to bring the Sharks within two points, the Cheetahs almost scored when eighth-man Frans Viljoen drove from the back of a scrum near the Sharks line.

Sharks turned the ball over but could not clear to touch and Olivier calmly dropped a goal, then put his side eight points ahead with a penalty five minutes from time.

Kockott landed his fifth penalty with the last kick of the game.

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