The Cheetahs walked over the Leopards with a thumping 40-12 victory in a Currie Cup clash in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
The Leopards, aiming for a top six finish in the competition, got off to a poor start after escaping the relegation playoffs last season.
The visitors put up some resistance with two tries, but the Cheetahs, semi-finalists last year, ran rampant, going over six times in their convincing victory.
Prop WP Nel got the hosts off to a solid start with a third minute try, and they never looked back.
Former Bulls and Pumas wing Vainon Willis dotted down for the Leopards in the 29th minute, but the Leopards were never really in with a shout.
The home side held a 35-5 advantage at half-time, and while neither team managed to add much more in the second stanza, the Cheetahs held on for a convincing win.
Five Cheetahs players — Nel, Andries Strauss, Rayno Benjamin, Corne Uys and Philip Burger — stormed over in the first half to give the hosts a clear-cut advantage heading into the break.
Prop BG Uys barged over for the visitors in the 67th minute, securing the first points for either team in the second half, with flyhalf Clayton Durand converting.
Cheetahs substitute Philip Snyman, however, dotted down with four minutes remaining in the match to secure the victory.
Cheetahs:
Tries: WP Nel, Andries Strauss, Rayno Benjamin, Corne Uys, Philip Burger, Philip Snyman. Conversion: Sias Ebersohn (2), Riaan Smit (3).
Leopards:
Tries: Vainon Willis, BG Uys.
Conversion: Clayton Durand. — Sapa