The Cheetahs claimed a first Super 14 victory over the Hurricanes since 2006 when taking a 28-12 win thanks to accurate goal-kicking from Meyer Bosman and Naas Olivier in Bloemfontein.
The home side was outscored by its opponent on the try front - David Smith and Cory Jane crossing over in each half - but its two star players scored 23 points between them to stun one of the pre-competition favourites.
Kabamba Floors scored the only try for the Free Staters, who remain in contention for the play-off places after two wins from their opening four games.
The Hurricanes had an early chance to take the lead after the home side was penalised for not rolling away from a tackle, but Piri Weepu's long-range attempt went wide.
Bosman had an even longer attempt at goal shortly afterwards and made the most of it by putting his side 3-0 up - John Schwalger making the error by binding illegally in the scrum.
The visitors, though, went ahead for the first time on the 10-minute mark when Ma'a Nonu and Alapati Leiua moved the ball quickly through the hands out to the left, where Smith cut inside to score.
Weepu was again let down by his accuracy with the boot, and indiscipline from his team-mate Nonu, who played the ball from the wrong side of the ruck, gave Olivier his first shot at goal - and he found his radar immediately to put the host 6-5 up after 20 minutes.
Immediately after Weepu missed his third kick - another penalty gifted to the New Zealand side after the Cheetahs were caught offside - Bosman's 56-metre penalty sailed through the middle to stretch the lead further.
The usually unflappable Hurricanes struggled to find their range of passing and, when they did, they saw a 14-phase move cut down five metres short of the line. When the ball went down the other end, Bosman added a third long-range penalty.
The frustration became evident in the 32nd minute when Nonu was sent to the sin-bin after a spear tackle on Juan Smith, but Naka Drotske's men failed to capitalise, leaving the score at 12-5 at the break.
Ten minutes after the restart, Floors handed the home side a massive boost by going over for his first try.
It came after an excellent short chip over the top by Jongi Nokwe, with the bounce sitting teasingly for Floors to use his power and pace to brush off Weepu and Jane to score in the right corner.
Olivier added a tough conversion, and another penalty from Bosman, followed by three more from the former, put some daylight between the two sides.
With 10 minutes to go, Jane gave the visitors some hope when he ran over in the corner - Willie Ripia adding the extras - but it proved merely a consolation as another Olivier penalty sealed the win.
Scorers:
Cheetahs 28
Try: Floors
Con: Olivier
Pen: Bosman 3, Olivier 4
Hurricanes 12
Tries: D Smith, Jane
Con: Ripia
HT: 12-5