The DHL Stormers XXIII scored seven tries on their way to a vital 50-26 bonus-point victory (halftime 33-7) over the Vodacom Bulls XV to keep their Carling Currie Cup semifinal hopes alive at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Friday evening.
For the home side, it was a sixth consecutive loss in a campaign they will want to forget, but the scoreline does not tell the full story of the match’s opening.
The Bulls dominated the first 15 minutes, controlling possession and territory as they battered the Stormers' line through strong runs from winger Riyaad Bam and debutant centre Pieter van der Merwe. But for all their early pressure, they came away with nothing, repelled by a stubborn defence that bent but refused to break.
In contrast, the Stormers were clinical. With their first real attacking chance in the 16th minute, a break from winger Mfundo Ndhlovu set up an opportunity for centre Markus Muller to score under the poles. The try opened the floodgates.
Flyhalf Kyle Smith, in a man-of-the-match performance, sliced through for a solo effort in the 23rd minute, before prop Herman Lubbe crashed over four minutes later.
WEATHERING THE STORM
While the Bulls briefly stopped the onslaught with a try from hooker Siphosethu Mnebelele, the Stormers finished the half with a flourish, adding tries through right wing Joel Leotlela and hooker Vernon Paulo to take an almost unassailable 33-7 lead into the break.
A yellow card to Bulls flanker Abongile Nonkontwana immediately after halftime put his side under further pressure, and Leotlela soon grabbed his second try to push the score to 40-7. To their credit, the Bulls refused to fold and launched a spirited fightback. Tries from centre Demitre Erasmus, replacement hooker Jon Hobson, and flanker Kebotile Maake secured a four-try bonus point for the men from Pretoria.
However, the Stormers' discipline wavered, leading to a yellow card for centre Cornel Smit, but they weathered the storm. A late penalty from Smith and a final try from replacement forward Eric Basson sealed the comprehensive win.
The result leaves the Stormers with everything to play for in their final round-robin match, where they must beat the ADT Fidelity Lions to stand any chance of making the playoffs.
SCORERS:
Vodacom Bulls XV – Tries: Siphosethu Mnebelele, Demitre Erasmus, Jon Hobson, Kebotile; Conversions: Keagan Johannes (3).
DHL Stormers XXIII – Tries: Joel Leotlela (2), Markus Muller, Kyle Smith, Herman Lubbe, Vernon Paulo, Eric Basson; Conversions: Smith (6); Penalty: Smith.