The Chiefs have held their nerve to see off a spirited Cheetahs side 37-27 in Hamilton.
Sonny Bill Williams in action for the Chiefs. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The two Super Rugby sides were locked at 20-20 midway through the second half, but late tries from Sam Cane and Andrew Horrell took the Chiefs over the line.
The Waikato-based side has now won five of its first seven games to consolidate its place as New Zealand's second best team behind the unbeaten Hurricanes.
The Chiefs couldn't have started the game better when, fed by Sonny Bill Williams, Michael Leitch crossed the line unmarked to score within the first minute.
After Cheetahs fullback Joe Pieterson scored a couple of penalties, a Liam Messam try took the score to 14-6.
Boom Prinsloo and Heinrich Brussow scored the next two tries of the game, but the Chiefs held their nerve down the stretch, despite a late second try from Brussow.
