Cape Town - The Stormers on Saturday thumped the Cheetahs 42-12 in a Super Rugby clash at Newlands.
As it happened: Stormers v Cheetahs
The hosts, who led 23-7 at the break, ran in five tries to two to claim the winning bonus point that has eluded them in recent times.
Unlike in previous outings this season, the Stormers were clinical in their approach and dominated their opponents in all facets of play.
With ample territory (68%) and possession (65%), the Stormers entertained the Newlands faithful with some enterprising play out wide.
Springbok Sevens star Seabelo Senatla bagged a brace, while midfield enforcer Damian de Allende, prop Vincent Koch and replacement loose forward Sikhumbuzo Notshe also crossed the whitewash.
As has been the case all season, the Stormers annihilated their opponents at scrum time, while their lineout also functioned better than in recent weeks.
They dominated the contact situations, and on the occasions they were unable to breach the Cheetahs defence, the deadly accurate boot of flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis kept the scoreboard ticking.
The Cheetahs scored two tries off driving mauls and that was perhaps the only positive they could take back home to Bloemfontein, where a new coach in Franco Smith awaits them on Monday.
Smith will replace Naka Drotske, who recently stepped down from his duties as head coach. Forwards coach Os du Randt will also leave to further his coaching career in Japan.
The win saw the Stormers consolidate their top spot in the South African Conference, while they also moved into second spot on the overall log - one ahead of the Brumbies - although a win for the Waratahs over the Lions in Johannesburg would send the Cape side back to third.
The Cheetahs, meanwhile, remain rooted to the bottom of the SA Conference and 13th overall.
In next weekend's action, the Stormers host the Lions, while the Cheetahs tackle the Waratahs in Bloemfontein.
Scorers:
Stormers:
Tries: Seabelo Senatla (2), Damian de Allende, Vincent Koch and Sikhumbuzo Notshe
Conversions: Demetri Catrakilis (4)
Penalties: Catrakilis (3)
Cheetahs:
Tries: Boom Prinsloo, Carel Greeff
Conversion: Joe Pietersen
Teams:
Stormers:
15. Cheslin Kolbe, 14. Seabelo Senatla, 13. Juan de Jongh, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Dillyn Leyds, 10. Demetri Catrakilis, 9. Nic Groom, 8. Duane Vermeulen (captain), 7. Siya Kolisi, 6. Nizaam Carr, 5. Manuel Carizza, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 3. Vincent Koch, 2. Scarra Ntubeni, 1. Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16. Bongi Mbonambi, 17. Oli Kebble, 18. Frans Malherbe, 19. Jean Kleyn, 20. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21. Louis Schreuder, 22. Kurt Coleman, 23. Huw Jones
Cheetahs:
15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Michael van der Spuy, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Joe Pietersen, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Henco Venter, 7 Boom Prinsloo, 6 Tienie Burger, 5 Francois Uys (captain), 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Maks van Dyk, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Danie Mienie
Substitutes: 16 Stephan Coetzee, 17 BG Uys, 18 Ewald van der Westhuizen, 19 Steven Sykes, 20 Carel Greeff, 21 Sarel Pretorius, 22 Coenie van Wyk, 23 Rayno Benjamin