The Free State Cheetahs bounced back from last week's loss to the Lions by beating the Blue Bulls 32-18 in Bloemfontein on Friday.

Last weekend the Cheetahs lost 43-21 to the Lions at Coca-Cola park while the Blue Bulls beat Griquas 35-20.

In the first half Lock Andries Ferreira and eighth man Kabamba Floors scored for the Cheetahs, while winger Riaan Smit kicked two conversions and three penalties.

Also in the first half eighth man CJ Stander scored the first of his two tries with flyhalf Louis Fouche kicking a conversion and penalty for a 23-12 half time score.

The home side were strong in defence, and overcame a lacklustre Bulls team.

Cheetahs lock Andries Ferreira scored in the first minute of the match.

From the Cheetahs kickoff, the Bulls lost possession and Ferreira did the finishing to give the home side the early advantage.

The Bulls managed their first points in the 11th minute through a Louis Fouché penalty.

Riaan Smit replied for the Cheetahs with a penalty of his own before the Bulls scored their first try.

CJ Stander burst over in the corner after the visitors put together a couple of phases of attacking play.

Fouche converted to put his side within three points of the hosts.

The Cheetahs had the best of the Bulls in the scrums, at least in the first half, and Smit kicked another penalty after the visitors were penalised after infringing.

The Cheetahs had the final say of the first period when eighth man Kabamba Floors dove over in the corner.

His try came from good attacking play by scrum half Sarel Pretorius.

Smit slotted the conversion to help his side to a comfortable lead of 23-10 at half time.

The Cheetahs continued their good defence, but ill discipline meant that Fouché could close the margin with his lengthy penalty kicks.

Smit kicked another penalty after the Bulls countered a Cheetahs attack illegally, to bring his tally to ten out of ten for the competition.

The Bulls tried everything in the final minutes and were rewarded with a consolation try.

Stander went over for his second five pointer, but some poor decision making, combined with stellar defence by the Cheetahs, saw the Pretoria-based side head home without a single point for their efforts.

Final Score Free State Cheetahs 32 (23) Blue Bulls 18 (10)

Scorers

Free State Cheetahs
Tries - Ferreira, Floors
Pen - Smit 5, Scheepers
Con - Smit 2
Drop -

Blue Bulls
Tries - Stander 2
Pen - Fouche 2
Con - Fouche
Drop -

Teams

Free State Cheetahs (15-1):

Hennie Daniller, Riaan Smit, Robert Ebersohn (c), Barry Geel, Raymond Rhule, Sias Ebersohn, Sarel Pretorius, Kabamba Floors, Lappies Labuschagne, Frans Viljoen, Izak van der Westhuizen, Andries Ferreira, Marcel van der Merwe, Hercu Liebenberg, Trevor Nyakane.

Blue Bulls (15-1):

Jürgen Visser, Akona Ndungane, Ulrich Beyers, Francois Venter, Clayton Blommetjies, Louis Fouchè, Ruan Snyman, Dewald Potgieter (c), CJ Stander, Deon Stegmann, Cornell Hess, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Frik Kirsten, Willie Wepener, Dawie Steyn.