The DHL Stormers showed against the Emirates Lions on Saturday why they are the number one ranked URC team when they outplayed their visitors 40-08 to remain unbeaten at the DHL Stadium for 2022.
The DHL Stormers started like a house on fire and scored two early tries. The Emirates Lions did start to get their hands on some quality ball and started to build some momentum during the last minutes of the first quarter. The Emirates Lions converted a penalty to trail 12-03 after 20 minutes of play.
The second quarter continued much as the first did with the Emirates Lions struggling to keep up with the pace at which the DHL Stormers played the match. However, once again the Emirates Lions showed that they can compete if and when the DHL Stormers allow them. The DHL Stormers led 19-03 going into the second half.
The Emirates Lions started to dominate during the third quarter, however, their lack of accuracy combined by the structured defence from the DHL Stormers kept the Emirates Lions from scoring deserved tries. The DHL Stormers led 26-08 after both teams scored a try.
During the final quarter, both teams started to attack from anywhere and everywhere. The Emirates enjoyed a possessional and territorial advantage, however, they were still unable to convert their "domination" into points while the DHL Stormers scored two tries when the opportunity presented itself. The DHL Stormers cement their number 2 spot on the URC log with a good 40-08 win.
Scorers:
DHL Stormers: Tries: Damian Willemse, Deon Fourie, Dan du Plessis, Angelo Davids (2), Marcel Theunissen. Conversions: Manie Libbok (5).
Emirates Lions: Try: Hensco van Wyk. Penalty: Jordan Hendrikse.
As it happened:
06:11 Samian Willemse scored the DHL Stormers' first try following a brilliant period of play by the hosts. (07-00)
12:49 Deon Fourie scored the DHL Stormers' second try from the back of a 5m Lineout-maul. (12-00)
18:46 Jordan Hendrikse converted a penalty for the Emirates Lions. (12-03)
27:23 Dan du Plessis scored the DHL Stormers' third try after some brilliant interplay by the host. (19-03)
48:58 Great thinking and hands saw Henco van Wyk score in the corner for the Emirates Lions. (19-08)
53:45 A brilliant run by Hacjivah Dayimani ended with an easy try by Angelo Davids for the DHL Stormers' bonus point try. (26-08)
66:46 Angelo Davids combined once again Hacjivah Dayimani and beats the Emirates Lions defenders with his feet and speed to score another try for the home team. (33-08)
78:02 Marcel Theunissen stepped his opposition with ease to score another try for the DHL Stormers. (40-08)
Teams:
DHL Stormers: 15. Damian Willemse, 14. Angelo Davids, 13. Suleiman Hartzenberg, 12. Dan du Plessis, 11. Leolin Zas, 10. Manie Libbok, 9. Paul de Wet, 8. Hacjivah Dayimani, 7. Willie Engelbrecht, 6. Deon Fourie, 5. Marvin Orie, 4. Ben-Jason Dixon, 3. Neethling Fouche, 2. Joseph Dweba, 1. Steven Kitshoff (c). Replacements: 16. Andre-Hugo Venter, 17. Brok Harris, 18. Sazi Sandi, 19. Connor Evans, 20. Junior Pokomela, 21. Marcel Theunissen, 22. Godlen Masimla, 23. Clayton Blommetjies.
Emirates Lions: 15. Quan Horn, 14. Rabz Maxwane, 13. Henco van Wyk, 12. Marius Louw (c), 11. Edwill van der Merwe, 10. Jordan Hendrikse, 9. Sanele Nohamba, 8. Emmanuel Tshituka, 7. Ruan Venter, 6. Jarod Cairns, 5. Pieter Jansen van Vuren, 4. Willem Alberts, 3. Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2. Pieter Botha, 1. Jean-Pierre Smith. Replacements: 16. Jaco Visagie, 17. Morgan Naudé, 18. Ruan Smith, 19. Ruben Schoeman, 20. Sibusiso Sangweni, 21. Morné van den Berg, 22. Gianni Lombard, 23. Manuel Rass.
