Daniel Kasende scored two tries as the Cheetahs opened stride to beat the Pumas in Nelspruit on Saturday and advance to the Currie Cup semi-finals.
Free State scored six tries, four of those in the second half, as they wrapped up their league schedule with a 41-14 victory that secured a fourth-place finish and a ticket to the playoffs.
The Pumas took an early six-point lead behind two Clinton Swart penalties before winger Kasende and scrumhalf Jandre Nel struck to give the Cheetahs a 14-9 lead at the break.
Pumas openside flanker Ntsika Fisante opened the scoring in the second half, but the scoreboard wasn’t deadlocked for long as Cheetahs winger Munier Hartzenburg dotted down, the first of four tries in the final 30 minutes for the visitors.
Kasende opened the third quarter with his second, scoring the Cheetahs bonus-point try, before replacements Aidon Davis and George Lourens added one each in the final five minutes to secure a comfortable 41-14 victory.
The Cheetahs progress to the final four of the Currie Cup after their victory at the Mbombela Stadium. They will face the Lions in the semi-final at Ellis Park.
Photo: Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images