Western Province secured a home semi-final in the Currie Cup but had to fight hard in their Top Eight clash against a tenacious Free State Cheetahs, winning 47-38 at Bloemfontein.

The Cheetahs were unlucky to come out of the contest with nothing to show, having led on several occasions.

The lead changed hands six times in a rollercoaster encounter and it wasn't until the last 10 minutes - when Pieter Rossouw scored WP's fifth try and Braam van Straaten's conversion gave them a nine-point advantage - that the visitors finally put daylight between themselves and their hosts.

Free State managed to go into the break a point up, despite having played 10 minutes in the second quarter of the match with only 14 men. Hooker Andre van Niekerk was yellow-carded for a head butt on WP prop Robbie Kempson.

In Van Niekerk's absence, with Germaine Brinkhuys replacing him and Jaco Coetzee having to sit out as well to give WP the numerical advantage, Free State actually took a grip on the match.

Immediately prior to Van Niekerk's temporary banishment, Breyton Paulse had scored the first of two tries to give Province a 10-9 advantage. But even with a rearranged seven-man pack, the Cheetahs somehow gained the upperhand.

First skipper Braam Els barged his way over from a ruck, after good work by centre De Wet Oelschig in laying the ball back. And then full-back Michael Horak broke from just inside his own half, making plenty of ground downfield before electing to chip ahead.

The ball bounced perfectly for flanker Andre Venter, who had ranged up on his outside, and he ran in unchallenged.

Before Van Niekerk's return, however, Paulse grabbed his second try to reduce Free State's lead to four points.

After the break, a Percy Montgomery try took Province ahead before winger Wylie Human again put the Cheetahs back in the lead. But when visiting captain Corne Krige scored after 57 minutes, WP were finally in the lead for good.

Free State pressed hard for a fourth try and at least one bonus point, but Province kept them out and eventually gained some semblance of control when Rossouw scored.

Free State Cheetahs - Tries: Braam Els, Andre Venter, Wylie Human; Conversions - MJ Smith; Penalties: Smith 7

Western Province - Tries: Breyton Paulse 2, Percy Montgomery, Corne Krige, Pieter Rossouw; Conversions: Braam van Straaten 5; Penalties: Van Straaten 3; Drop goal: Montgomery