The Sunwolves head in to the June break on the back of their most disappointing game of the 2017 Super Rugby season.

Starved of ball by a Cheetahs side looking to end a nine-game losing streak, the hosts were hammered 47-7 on Saturday in front of 12,898 at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground.

"We wanted to go into the break with some momentum, but we were unable to play our game," said Sunwolves captain Harumichi Tatekawa, who made no excuses after his side lacked their usual attacking flair and precision.

"We knew from the start of the season that we would be in situations like this (with numerous lineup changes) and we thought we prepared well this week. But clearly, our opponents prepared even better."

Given how little time they had with ball in hand, the Sunwolves counted themselves lucky to turn around just 14-0 down, knowing they had the wind at their backs in the second half.

But an inspired performance from the Cheetahs bench and some questionable tactics from the hosts saw the visitors eventually run away with the game.

"We played closer to the rucks, pulled them in and our backs finished things off," Cheetahs captain Torsten van Jaarsveld said of his team's tactical change.

While the Cheetahs adjusted to the Sunwolves pressure and brave first-half defensive effort, the same could not be said for the hosts.

For a team that had so little of the ball, too much was kicked away allowing the Cheetahs to either clear their lines or launch counter-attacks. And lapses of concentration were once again punished.

"In Super Rugby, if you switch off for a second, they make full use of the opportunity," Tatekawa rued.

Uzair Cassiem bagged a brace of tries for the visitors and there were further five-pointers from Niell Jordaan, Niel Marais, van Jaarsveld, Tian Meyer and Sergeal Petersen -- the last two, superb examples of running rugby, keeping the ball alive and having plenty of men in support.

Marais added five conversions and veteran lock Francois Uys, playing his last game for the South African franchise, was handed the final conversion, which he duly banged over from the touchline.

Veteran lock Sam Wykes, playing his 99th Super Rugby game, touched down for the Sunwolves, with Yu Tamura adding the extras.

"In the first half, the Sunwolves defense was exceptional," said Cheetahs coach Franco Smith. "We dominated territory and possession enormously but they kept us out."

"In the second half, things went our way but the score was not a true reflection of what happened on the field."

Missing many players as a result of injury, the Sunwolves were unable to put phases together on a consistent basis. And defensively, when they did force a turnover all too often it was wasted as they handed possession back to the Cheetahs.

"We had plenty of opportunities presented to us by the Cheetahs but we didn't take them," said Sunwolves head coach Filo Tiatia.

"We weren't clinical enough when the ball was loose to retain the ball and put pressure on them. We are very disappointed in the way we played and understand we need to be better."

Following the June window when Japan play Romania and Ireland (twice), the Sunwolves travel to South Africa to play the Lions and Stormers before closing out their season in Tokyo on July 15 against New Zealand's Blues.