The score was 26-0 up until the 55th minute of the match, when an incredible final 25 minutes saw 63 points scored as the two sides ran in nine tries during that period.
Flyhalf Lubabalo Dobela was in immaculate form, slotting nine conversions and scoring two tries for a match haul of 28 points.
This while the home sides back three were terrifying throughout, running in eight tries between them with fullback Tapiwa Mafura scoring a hat-trick and doubles for wings Jamba Ulengo and Francois Agenbag.
The bonus point win sees the Toyota Free Free State Cheetahs hurdle the Boland Cavaliers into second place on the South section log on 27 points, two ahead of the Cavaliers who now have to win their final match against DHL Western Province at the SuperSport Rugby Challenge Festival in Cape Town on Sunday if they are to sneak back into the semi positions.
The home side got off to a fast start as eighthman Albertus de Bod crashed over in just the third minute, followed by tries to Mafura, Agenbag and Ulengo, with Dobela slotting three conversions for a 26-0 lead after just 18 minutes.
The Bulldogs then managed to stem the tide and keep the home side scoreless for the rest of the half, but were unable to get on the board themselves.
Another 15 minutes into the second half then saw the scoreless run stretch to 37 minutes, before replacement prop Gunther Janse van Vuuren rumbled over to spark a frantic final 25 minutes, that saw Free State run in a further seven tries.
The Bulldogs did manage to get themselves on the board in the 72nd minute through a try to replacement scrumhalf Bangihlombe Kobese, converted by flyhalf Lwando Mapuko, but it was only a consolation score as the home side finished stronger with three tries in the last six minutes to Dobela, Mafura and Ulengo.
Scorers:
Toyota Free State Cheetahs XV - Tries: Albertus de Bod, Tapiwa Mafura (3), Francois Agenbag (2), Jamba Ulengo (2), Gunther Janse van Vuuren, Lubabalo Dobela (2), Dian Badenhorst. Conversions: Lubabalo Dobela (9), Adriaan Carelse
Border Bulldogs - Try: Bangihlombe Kobese. Conversion: Lwando Mapuko.
