Nico Lee scored a hat trick of tries to help the Cheetahs to a 45-21 Guinness PRO14 win over Southern Kings at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

Clayton Blommetjies, Lee and Shaun Venter crossed in the first half and Fred Zeilinga kicked three conversions and a penalty to send Cheetahs into the break 24-7 up, Yaw Penxe going over for the Kings.

Lee completed his treble after the break and Jacquess du Toit also went in with Zeilinga taking his personal haul to 15 points.

The Kings were awarded a penalty try and Eital Bredenkamp also crossed the whitewash but the visitors were always in control.