Johannesburg - Veteran seamer Justin Kemp and wicketkeeper Dane Vilas rounded out a sterling SuperSport Series performance in Kimberley on Saturday as the Cape Cobras steamrolled the Knights.
Trailing by 214 runs in their second innings at the start of the third day, with a full bag of wickets in hand, the Knights were bundled out for 160 shortly before tea.
The Cobras secured victory by an innings and 54 runs as they closed in on the hosts at the top of the domestic top-flight table.
Kemp ripped through the Knights' middle order, returning five for 31 - his sixth first-class five-wicket haul - as the Knights were strangled in their efforts to build momentum.
Vilas, meanwhile, was again on form behind the stumps, taking a further four catches to go with his six in the first innings.
The 26-year-old keeper, who had smashed 187 runs on day two to put the Cobras in control, has taken 28 dismissals in six matches - the most in the competition.
The Knights clung to the top spot in the standings but the Cobras, in second place with a game in hand, narrowed the gap to less than eight points.