The Cheetahs ended a nine-game losing streak with a thumping 47-7 bonus-point victory over the Sunwolves in their Super Rugby clash in Tokyo on Saturday.
Tries from flank Uzair Cassiem (two), loose forward Niell Jordaan, flyhalf Niel Marais, hooker Torsten Van Jaarsveld, scrumhalf Tian Meyer and wing Sergeal Petersen brought to an end the South African side's longest ever losing streak in a single Super Rugby season.
The Sunwolves still have just a one win this campaign from 12 matches, with their only try coming from Australian lock Sam Wykes.
They have now lost all four meetings with the Cheetahs in Super Rugby, though this was an improvement on the 92-17 loss they suffered in Bloemfontein last year.
The Cheetahs had almost 90% possession in the opening 15 minutes, but were frustrated by the home defence and their own errors, but eventually took the lead when Cassiem crossed over after some patient build-up play.
The Cheetahs were dominating the set-pieces, but far less clinical in the Sunwolves' 22 and it was not until the stroke of halftime that they turned their incessant pressure into more points, with Jordaan eventually breaking through the home defence for a 14-0 lead at the break.
They extended that advantage early in the second period as speedsters Raymond Rhule and Sergeal Petersen led a break-out and Marais was on hand to put the finishing touches to the move.
The home side were given hope when Wykes scored after a powerful scrum, but it proved a brief reprieve.
Cassiem grabbed his second after a fine break from fullback Clayton Blommetjies had the Sunwolves scrambling back in defence, and he went over out wide.
The visitors had their fifth try as they claimed a Sunwolves lineout and Van Jaarsveld crossed over for the score.
By now the gaps were opening up in a home defence that had worked so hard in the game, and the combination of Van Jaarsveld and Cassiem set Meyer away for the score.
The visitors did not let up the pressure and got their seventh score when Petersen raced clear to dot down in the corner.
But the biggest cheer of the night was reserved for lock Francois Uys, who booted over the conversion from the touchline, and was swamped by his teammates.
Next up for the Cheetahs is a home meeting with the Stormers after the international break on July 1, while the Sunwolves travel to the Lions on the same day.