The Cheetahs ran in seven tries to claim a resounding 45-0 win over the Kings in their PRO14 rematch on Saturday.

Just last weekend, the Free State had to rely on a late surge to clinch a one-point win over the Kings, who had looked the better side for much of that match.

This time around, though, the Cheetahs proved to be far too strong for a Kings side that was perhaps still bearing the mental scars from last weekend’s missed opportunity.

The Cheetahs led 17-0 at half time, before continuing their dominance in the second stanza, claiming a bonus-point win that lifts them to third in Conference A.

Cheetahs – Tries: Joseph Dweba (2), Chris Massyn, Jasper Wiese, Clayton Blommetjies, Rhyno Smith, Louis Fouche. Conversions: Ruan Pienaar, Tian Schoeman, Fouche (2).

Cheetahs – 15 Rhyno Smith, 14 Clayton Blommetjies, 13 William Small-Smith, 12 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 11 Rabz Maxwane, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Ruan Pienaar (c), 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Junior Pokomela, 6 Chris Massyn, 5 JP du Preez, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Charles Marais.
Subs: 16 Wilmar Arnoldi,  17 Boan Venter,  18 Luan de Bruin, 19 Aidon Davis, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Tian Meyer, 22 Louis Fouche, 23 Chris Smit.

Southern Kings – 15 Andell Loubser, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Sibusiso Sithole, 12 JT Jackson, 11 Erich Cronje, 10 Bader Pretorius, 9  Theo Maree, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 Ruaan Lerm, 5 Jerry Sexton, 4 JC Astle, 3 Rossouw de Klerk, 2 Jacques du Toit (c), 1 Cameron Dawson.
Subs: 16 Alandre van Rooyen, 17 Schalk Ferreira, 18 Ig Prinsloo, 19 Bobby de Wee, 20 Lusanda Badiyana, 21 Josh Allderman, 22 Demetri Catrakilis, 23 Howard Mnisi.

Photo: Johan Pretorius/Gallo Images