After a tightly contested opening 40 minutes that ended 14-14, the hosts shifted through the gears after the break, running in six tries in total to secure a valuable bonus-point victory and maintain their unbeaten start to the season.

Winger Prince Nkabinde stole the show with a superb hat-trick, while Springbok scrumhalf Faf de Klerk crossed the whitewash for a brace in a Man of the Match performance that underlined his class and experience.

Prince Nkabinde opening the scoring - Morgan Piek

Both teams entered the encounter full of confidence after opening-round victories, and it was the Cheetahs who made the early statement.

De Klerk cleverly grubbered through the defensive line before Nkabinde won the race to the bouncing ball for the opening try. Flyhalf Jaco van der Walt added an excellent conversion from the touchline.

The Sharks responded through centre Janco Purchase, with Tim Swiel converting to level matters, before De Klerk crashed over beneath the uprights to restore the home side’s advantage.

Juan Venter dotting down for his try early in the second half - Morgan Piek

The visitors refused to go away, however, and powerful prop Simphiwe Ngobese muscled over from close range. Swiel’s conversion ensured the scores were locked at 14-14 heading into the sheds.

The Cheetahs emerged after half-time with renewed purpose.

Following a penalty after Clayton Blommetjies was taken out in the air, De Klerk tapped quickly and released flanker Juan Venter, who sprinted down the touchline for a superb try that reignited the home crowd.

Moments later, lock Curtly Thomas received a yellow card for head contact on Blitzboks speedster Christie Grobbelaar, temporarily reducing the Cheetahs to 14 men.

The Sharks capitalised immediately through centre Marnus Potgieter, but instead of folding, the Cheetahs produced their best rugby of the evening.

Nkabinde finished a beautifully worked line-out move for his second try before completing his hat-trick shortly after Thomas returned to the field. Although Van der Walt was unable to convert either score, the Cheetahs had seized complete control of the contest.

The Sharks’ hopes suffered another setback when replacement hooker Bryce Calvert was shown a yellow card for deliberately slapping the ball from De Klerk’s hands at the breakdown.

Prince Nkabinde completing his brace - Morgan Piek

The numerical advantage proved costly as Daniel Maartens crossed after another powerful break by Venter, who came desperately close to scoring himself before producing the offload.

De Klerk then put the finishing touches on a memorable evening by reading the Sharks’ attack perfectly, intercepting a pass and racing away for his second try to seal an emphatic victory.

Cheetahs captain Neels Volschenk believes the period spent playing with 14 men became the turning point in the match, forcing his side to dig deep before launching their devastating attacking assault.

“If you look at it from the Sharks’ perspective, they threw everything, or the kitchen sink, at us.

Prince Nkabinde crashing over for his hat-trick - Morgan Piek

“We absorbed the pressure and put it back on them. That can be a real mood killer for the opposition, and it’s difficult to come back from that.

“It’s also great to see the guys expressing themselves and playing what’s in front of them. It’s awesome to watch, whether you’re a fan, a coach or one of the guys on the bench.”

The victory lifts the Cheetahs’ confidence ahead of another stern challenge next week when they travel to Kimberley for a mouth-watering Currie Cup derby against the defending champions, the Suzuki Griquas on Friday.

Cheetahs: Tries - Prince Nkabinde 3, Faf de Klerk 2, Juan Venter, Daniel Maartens Conv. - Jaco van der Walt 4

Sharks: Tries - Janco Purchase, Simphiwe Ngobese, Marnus Potgieter Conv. - Tim Swiel 3

Morgan Piek OFM Sport