Israel Folau has scored a hat-trick of tries to help the Waratahs return to the top of the Australian Conference with a 58-33 bonus-point win over the Cheetahs in the Super Rugby clash in Bloemfontein.
Folau was back to his lethal best in the nine-tries-to-five win over the Cheetahs after a rare shocker in last week's loss to the Lions at Ellis Park.
The rugby league convert touched down for his third try in the 60th minute after securing a first-half double sparked by the opening five-pointer of the game in the fourth minute.
Michael Cheika's side came into the match needing a bonus-point win to bump the Brumbies from top spot after the Canberra-based team defeated the Western Force on Friday night.
The sides are equal on points going into next week's final round of the regular season but the Waratahs lead by virtue of having more wins.
Defence was optional in Bloemfontein as both sides threw the ball around at will, with five tries in the opening 20 minutes taking the Waratahs to a 17-14 lead.
The Cheetahs, under new coach Franco Smith, tried hard and hit the lead for the second time in the match on 28 minutes, flanker Boom Prinsloo scoring to make it 21-17 before the Waratahs hit top gear and wiped the floor with their hosts.
Folau and winger Taqele Naiyaravoro scored to make it 29-21 at halftime and then Adam Ashley-Cooper scored soon after the break with the first of four second-half tries for NSW.
Matt Carraro secured a late double when he scored in the 76th minute after crashing over for a first-half try.
