The Cheetahs moved a step closer to a place in the Guinness PRO14 playoffs thanks to a 29-17 victory against the Dragons.

The South African side triumphed at Rodney Parade thanks to tries by wing Sibahle Maxwane (2), fly-half Fred Zeilinga and full-back Clayton Blommetjies.

Victory extended their advantage over fourth-placed Cardiff Blues to 10 points in Conference A and closed the gap to second-placed Munster to two.

The Dragons were unable to add to their meagre total of two league wins despite scores by wing Ashton Hewitt and hooker Elliot Dee.

The hosts were out of the blocks sharply and crossed through former Cheetahs scrum-half Sarel Pretorius, only for the South African to be denied by the TMO after a defender was taken out at a ruck during the build up.

But they did take a 7-0 lead in the 13th minute when Wales international Hallam Amos' smart offload put fellow winger Hewitt over down the left.

Fly-half Arwel Robson converted before centre Niel Marais slotted a long-range penalty for the visitors to reduce the deficit.

The Dragons restored their seven-point buffer when Robson calmly knocked over a terrific drop goal after 28 minutes.

The Welsh side finished the half on the front foot but were unable to barge their way over from close range and had to be content with 10-3.

But the visitors levelled 21 seconds after the restart as Maxwane was put under the posts by full-back Blommetjies, with Marais adding the conversion.

And the South Africans were took the lead with half an hour left thanks to a nice line by fly-half Fred Zeilinga, who slipped out of the tackle of Wales forward Dee for a try that Marais converted.

The Dragons needed a response but Robson pulled a penalty in the 59th minute and then his attempted kick through instead fell into South African hands and led to a hack through and Maxwane's second.

The home side responded when a patient attack in the 22 ended with Dee sliding over and Robson converting to make it 22-17 with eight minutes left.

But the South Africans wrapped up victory and a bonus point with Blommetjies scorching over after spotting a gap in midfield.