The Free Staters' No 8 was instrumental in his side's comprehensive bonus-point victory, scoring two tries in the first half and then rounding off the match with his third while the home side scored a further seven tries.

The visitors were in the game at the midway point through the first half with tries from their wings, Leighton Eksteen and Shario Rosenkrantz, while Divan Nel (fullback) landed both conversions and a penalty goal.

At one stage, the deficit was just two points midway through the first stanza but that was all the visitors could muster as the Toyota Free State Cheetahs XV took complete control and went on the rampage, scoring 26 unanswered points to seal the bonus-point before the halftime break.

The Eagles were kept scoreless in the second stanza as the home side scored three more tries to seal a solid win.

The big victory margin has improved their points difference, but keeps them in third behind the Boland Cavaliers and six points adrift of the South Section log leaders, DHL Western Province.

Scorers:

Toyota Free State Cheetahs XV - Tries: Jasper Wiese (3), Adriaan Carelse, Boan Venter, Darren Adonis, Jamba Ulengo, Keanen Murray, Niell Jordaan, Carel Coetzee. Conversions: Ernst Stapelberg (6), Lubabalo Dobela.

SWD Eagles - Tries: Leighton Eksteen, Shario Rosenkrantz. Conversions: Divan Nel (2). Penalty goal: Nel.