George Bridge grabbed a hat-trick as the Crusaders scored seven tries to tame the Cheetahs in a 48-21 rout in Super Rugby action in Bloemfontein.

Two late sin-binnings to Sam Whitelock and Mitch Hunt took the shine off the victory, and there may yet be further repercussions if Whitelock is cited.

Richie Mo'unga converted a 10th minute penalty to put the 'Saders on the board before David Havili went over in the corner two minutes later to set the New Zealand side on their way.

But the floodgates held, and the Cheetahs struck back as Raymond Rhule touched down after a brilliant run to take them to within a point of Crusaders.

Mo'unga turned down a shot at goal, in favour of a attacking lineout just after the half hour and they got their reward as Bridge broke through the Cheetahs defence to score.

If there was a turning point it came just before halftime, when Sergeal Petersen crossed with five minutes remaining in the half. Ox Nche made the burst after the lineout and put Petersen in to score, but his pass was called forward and the Cheetahs saw the game slip away from them.

Even trailing 7-15 at the break would have given the home side hope, but almost replicating the Mo'unga-Bridge try against the Sunwolves, Mo'unga delivered a delightful cross-field kick for Bridge to gather and score his second.

It pushed Crusaders lead at the break to 22-7 and four minutes after the restart the sin-binning of Armandt Koster saw the Cheetahs collapse.

Mo'unga got in on the try scoring, bursting through following a scrum five metres from the Cheetahs line to score. Mo'unga converted and despite an Nche try for the Cheetahs, Havili, Mitchell Drummond and Bridge crossed to secure the victory.

Sam Whitelock was sin-binned for foul play at the lineout with eight minutes remaining and he was joined by Mitch Hunt who saw yellow for a professional foul. Petersen got in for a try at the death but it was mere consolation as Crusaders march on.