The match started slowly, with neither team really firing in attack, Clément Mondinat kicking Pau into a lead in the first five minutes, before Ruan Pienaar responded with a penalty of his own.

Two further Mondinat kicks gave Pau a half-time lead but neither side will have been happy with their first-half displays.

But the second half was a completely different story, as Daniel Maartens went over for Toyota Cheetahs to give them a 10-9 lead.

It sparked the home side into life and a Rémi Sénéca score restored their lead, which they kept despite powerful flanker Oupa Mohojé charging over, as Pienaar pushed the conversion an inch wide.

But Pienaar kicked Toyota Cheetahs back into the lead before being substituted, and flyhalf Siya Masuku kicked another penalty goal to give them the victory as the hosts' ill discipline ultimately cost them the win.

Scorers:

Section Paloise 16 (9) - Try: Rémi Seneca. Conversion: Thibault Daubagna. Penalty goals: Clément Mondinat (3).

Toyota Cheetahs 21 (3) - Tries: Daniel Maartens, Oupa Mohoje. Conversion: Ruan Pienaar. Penalty goals: Pienaar (2), Siya Masuku.