The Cheetahs scored eight tries as they secured their first win of the Guinness PRO14 campaign with a fiery 54-39 victory over Zebre, who had to settle for a losing bonus point in a thrilling encounter at the Toyota Stadium.

In the second ever PRO14 encounter hosted on Southern Hemisphere territory, it was Zebre who showcased more attacking prowess from the off as the travelling Italians raced into an 11-0 lead.

But the Cheetahs powered back through successive tries from Makazole Mapimpi, Luther Obi and William Small-Smith to ignite a blistering first-half.

The Springbok outfit turned on the heat after the break as Torsten Van Jaarsveld and Mapimpi completed doubles.

Zebre’s ill-discipline saw Dave Sisi and George Biagi sinbinned, as their frustration fuelled the Cheetah’s dominance.

It looked like Naka Drotské’s side were destined for another defeat when Biagi crossed for Zebre’s first try on South African soil following efficient support play from the forward pods.

But the Cheetahs responded almost immediately after Mapimpi stormed down the wing to cross at the other end.

Mapimi’s magic sparked the one-sided game into action, as Canna failed to make it three penalties from three.

And the hosts capitalised with the extra man, as Small-Smith ran a perfect infield line with eyes only for the try line after a perfectly time offload from François Venter.

Ernst Stapelberg edged the hosts in front with the conversion, before Obi plucked Sean Venter’s floating pass to run in for Zebre’s third try and complete a memorable first-half resurgence.

The visitors remained in touching distance as Johan Meyer charged over at the other end to pull a try back with 14 men, as Michael Bradley’s side trailed by a point at the break.

But the momentum remained with the Springbok outfit after the restart, as Mapimpi latched onto Sergeal Petersen’s grubber to grab the Cheetah’s fourth.

And a fifth ensued after a solid driving maul from the hosts saw Torsten Van Jaarsveld power through Zebre’s rattled defensive line, with Stapelberg putting daylight between the two sides at 33-18.

But just as they had done in the first half, Zebre refused to relinquish with a man down and Mattia Bellini stormed over, with Marcelo Violi slotting his first points of the game at 33-25.

Van Jaarsveld crossed at the other end for the Cheetah’s sixth, before Faialaga Afamasaga reduced the deficit to six points after Violi converted.

Tian Meyer broke clear of Zebre’s defence to dive over, before Petersen joined in on the fun with his second and the Cheetah’s eighth.

Giulio Bisegni salvaged a fifth at the death for Zebre, with Guglielmo Palazzani converting, but it was not enough as the Italian side’s winless run in the new season continues.