Stormers (5) 24
Tries: Seabelo Senatla, Deon Fourie, Manie Libbok, Jean-Luc du Plessis; Conversions: Libbok (2)
Sharks (10) 20
Tries: Yaw Penxe, Jordan Hendrikse; Conversions: Jordan Hendrikse (2); Penalties: Jordan Hendrikse (2)
The Stormers left it until late with a converted try but win number two over the festive season is in the bag after a stuttering, bonus-point victory over the Sharks in Cape Town.
While the DHL Stadium was sold out Saturday for the return coastal derby in the United Rugby Championship (URC), supporters only had plays here and there to get excited about. It was an affair of attrition that only really came to life in the final 15 minutes of the clash, when the sides were looking to plant the final blow.
Throughout the preceding 65-plus minutes, handling errors, poor decision-making, ill-discipline and injuries halted the flow of both sides.
Manie slots the pressure kick 🎯![CDATA[]]>🎯
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) December 28, 2024
The DHL Stormers lead by four with 30 seconds to play 🌩️
📺 Stream #VURC on DStv: https://t.co/0P0NNhnwKw pic.twitter.com/aueQZv40MG
The game sparked to life in the final stages when first the Stormers scored a fantastic team try with patient build-up where they did not fling the ball around to try and spark something. Replacement scrumhalf Paul de Wet’s speedy service saw them build up through the forwards before a pass to flyhalf Manie Libbok saw him slice through a gap to go over.
He converted his own try for a 17-10 lead.
The visitors, though, had other plans and with 10 minutes left and the Cape outfit seemingly in control, they found another gear to strike back. Thanks to the combination of the Hendrikse brothers – No 9 Jaden and flyhalf Jordan – the scrumhalf put his younger sibling over with the flyhalf also converting to pull things level. A penalty by Jordan saw the Sharks take the lead 20-17 with a couple of minutes left on the clock.
That is where the home supporters came in and brought the Stormers back from defeat for them to snatch victory with a late converted try off the back of another strong rolling maul. Replacement midfielder Jean-Luc du Plessis finished off after the maul made the meters with no more Sharks defenders there to stop him.
Stormers captain Deon Fourie also scored a critical try off the back of a rolling maul, with the opening try of winger Seabelo Senatla coming early in the first half after a neat little dab by fullback Warrick Gelant playing in his 50th cap.
𝐉![CDATA[]]>𝐚![CDATA[]]>𝐝![CDATA[]]>𝐞![CDATA[]]>𝐧 𝐱 𝐉![CDATA[]]>𝐨![CDATA[]]>𝐫![CDATA[]]>𝐝![CDATA[]]>𝐚![CDATA[]]>𝐧 🦈
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) December 28, 2024
The brothers combine to set up a Grandstand finish at the DHL Stadium 🔥![CDATA[]]>🔥
📺 Stream #VURC on DStv: https://t.co/0P0NNhnwKw pic.twitter.com/8qYhdLSewy
The Sharks, though, never gave up in their pursuit of a first win in the URC in Cape Town. Every time it looked like the chips were down for them, even after a yellow card to winger Ethan Hooker, they found another way to get back into the game. This despite also losing two Springboks in Andre Esterhuizen and Aphelele Fassi at the same time through what looked like knee injuries.
Esterhuizen was targeted at a ruck after the clean of Du Plessis failed to wrap and he was struck on the knee. It looked like Fassi twisted his knee when he went up to field a high ball and with his landing was tackled. The Sharks could feel a bit aggrieved with the Esterhuizen call, which was just a penalty, but it did cancel another try by the home side.
Despite the injuries, the Hendrikse brothers, alongside young inside centre Jurenzo Julius, were excellent. The Durban side’s forwards also stood strong in the scrums, although they conceded a couple of penalties in that area.
On the Stormers’ side, injuries to scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies and inside centre Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu halted their momentum. Why the Stormers did not take the latter off earlier when he was injured, was a bit baffling. He struggled after the initial hit on him and missed tackles before being substituted shortly before half-time.
The win brings the Stormers back into contention in the URC and they will take pride in how they fared in two critical derby games over the festive period to keep their hopes alive in the tournament.