31 October 2026
The DHL Stormers maintained their unbeaten streak at home with a clinical 33-07 bonus-point victory over Ulster Rugby. Despite a physical start from the visitors, the Cape side’s blistering transition play and lethal counter-attacks secured five unanswered tries in front of their home crowd.
The hosts suffered an immediate setback before kick-off when Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi withdrew late, forcing Altus Rabe into the starting line-up. The opening quarter played out at a frantic pace as both outfits struggled to handle the intensity, resulting in a high error rate from both sides.
Ulster capitalised on their early territorial dominance after 22 minutes of play, and following wave after wave of physical carries and a disallowed try, flanker Dave McCann crashed over for a deserved opening try, with Jack Murphy adding the extras for a 7-0 lead.
The Stormers replied in the 33rd minute with a sweeping 15-man attack, and lock JD Schickerling showed great strength to power through several Ulster defenders and dot down after multiple hands kept the ball alive.
Just before the halftime whistle, loose forward Paul de Villiers charged down a clearing kick from Ulster. He gathered the bouncing ball and scored, sending the home side into the break with a 12-7 advantage.
The Cape franchise struck early in the second half through a brilliant individual effort from Evan Roos. The powerful number eight broke free from long range and outpaced the defence, with Yaqeen Ahmed adding the conversion to make it 19-7.
The critical bonus-point try arrived with ten minutes left on the clock; Ruhan Nel scored, with Ahmed boot pushing the scoreline out to 26-7.
Ahmed capped off a flawless afternoon with a piece of individual brilliance three minutes from time. The flyhalf sliced through the Ulster defensive line for his side's fifth try and converted his own effort to seal the comprehensive 33-07 win.
Scorers:
DHL Stormers: Tries: JD Schickerling, Paul de Villiers. Evan Roos, Ruhan Nel, Yaqeen Ahmed. Converted: Yaqeen Ahmed (4).
Ulster Rugby: Try: Dave McCann. Conversion: Jack Murphy.
Teams:
DHL Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel (c), 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Yaqeen Ahmed, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Louw Nel, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Adré Smith, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Vernon Paulo, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu. Replacements: 16 Altus Rabe, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Neethling Fouché, 19 Riley Norton, 20 Connor Evans, 21 Wandile Mlaba, 22 Haashim Pead, 23 Wandisile Simelane.
Ulster Rugby: 15 Ethan McIlroy, 14 Michael Lowry, 13 James Hume, 12 Ben Carson, 11 Zac Ward, 10 Jack Murphy, 9 Matthew Devine, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 David McCann (c), 6 Cormac Izuchukwu, 5 Eli Snyman, 4 Ben Donnell, 3 Keynan Knox, 2 Rob Herring, 1 Eric O’Sullivan. Replacements: 16 Henry Walker, 17 Tom McAllister, 18 Scott Wilson, 19 Harry Sheridan, 20 Martin Moloney, 21 Conor McKee, 22 Jake Flannery, 23 Chay Mullins.