The Chiefs' very faint Super 14 rugby playoff hopes have been ended in Hamilton by another South African side, the Cheetahs.
Poor kicking cost the Chiefs, who led 20-10 at half-time before slumping to a 25-25 draw.
But although they scored five tries to three, they couldn't convert any of them and missed all three penalty goal attempts.
First five Stephen Donald was substituted after missing all the conversions and two penalty kicks, but second five Callum Bruce couldn't do any better in the second half, missing a penalty goal that would have wrested back the lead, then another conversion after a Liam Messam try that would have given his team a five-point buffer.
After consecutive home losses to the Bulls and Stormers they had to win to retain any hope of making the semi-finals.
The loss also means the Chiefs have just one home game remaining in their bid to break a winless streak this season at Waikato Stadium.
