The Highlanders have had the wood over the Cheetahs over the years but had no answer tonight to a Cheetahs side, high on energy and accuracy.
The win by the South Africans came courtesy of a first half blitz where they took any chance that came along. They backed that up with a defensive screen that smoothered anything blue that moved.
The Cheetahs had looked good in the first half against the Chiefs last week but failed to score points.
They made up for that last night, up 30-9 at the break, which was a bridge too far for the southerners.
The Cheetahs came out with a defensive line which resembled the Great Wall of China. The Highlanders failed to find a gap in it and the Cheetahs scored the first 10 points stunning the home team.
Johan Goosen banged over a penalty after 10 minutes and then on the 20 minute mark the Cheetahs scored the opening try.
Lappies Labuschagne found some space out wide, brushed off an average Joe Wheeler tackle and the speedy Sarel Pretorius was on hand to to cater 35m to score. Goosen added the extras and put over a penalty a couple of minutes later and it was all gloom for the home side.
Spirits though were lifted when Lima Sopoaga put through a nice chip kick for Kade Poki to run on to and the Highlanders got on the scoreboard.
The joy was short-lived as the Cheetahs scored from a controversial call when Robert Ebersohn was ruled to have gathered a chargedown which looked suspiociously like a knock-on.
Pretorius then nabbed a loose ball and ran 50m untouched and the hosts were down 30-7.
They managed two more tries in the second half, both to Poki, but could not find their attacking game as the Cheetahs defence stood firm.
Cheetahs 36 (Sarel Pretorius 2, Robert Ebersohn tries, Johan Goosen 3 con, 5 pen), Highlanders 19 (Kade Poki 3 tries, Lima Sopoaga con, Colin Slade con) Halftime: 30-7.
