The DHL Stormers welcomed Edinburgh to the DHL Stadium in Cape Town for the first game of the new season at their home stadium and had to work hard to beat the visitors 34-18.
Edinburgh was seemingly comfortable on their way to an easy win as their forwards dominated those of the hosts. However, the DHL Stormers clawed their way back steadily and set up camp in Edinburgh's 22. during the last ten minutes of the first half. The try of Deon Fourie was a just reward for the host's efforts, however, a scoreline of 07-10 does not reflect the action on the field at that stage.
The second half was a much more even affair with the game still in the balance up until the last quarter. The DHL Stormers added a quick ten points in five minutes which was enough to secure a win. Edinburgh attacked for the final ten minutes and score a five-pointer after a red card was shown to Sazi Sandi. However, the Stormers added their fourth and bonus point try after the time was already up to win with relative "ease".
06:03 Blair Kinghorn converted a penalty for Edinburgh. (00-03)
20:00 Edinburgh's dominance has steadily increased in the first quarter on the back of their tight five's work upfront. Edinburgh was "unlucky" to lead with just three points at that stage.
21:23 Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers) was sent off with a yellow card.
28:02 Pierre Schoeman forced his way over the DHL Stormers' tryline for the first try of the match. The visitors have launched wave after wave of attack by their big men upfront until Schoeman eventually dotted down. (00-10)
38:16 Stuart McInally (Edinburgh) was shown a yellow card.
41:04 Deon Fourie scored the DHL Stormers' first try of the match as he burst through the middle of a 5m lineout. (07-10)
40:00 Edinburgh were seemingly comfortable on their way to an easy win as their forwards dominated those of the hosts. However, the DHL Stormers clawed their way back steadily and set up camp in Edinburgh's 22. during the last ten minutes of the first half. The try of Deon Fourie a was just reward for the host's efforts, however, a scoreline of 07-10 does not reflect the action on the field at that stage.
42:98 Joseph Dweba scored his first try in the jersey of the DHL Stormers from the back of a 5m lineout ball. (14-10)
48:24 Manie Libbok converted a penalty. (17-10)
51:29 Evan Roos (DHL Stormers) was sent off with a yellow card.
52:15 Blair Kinghorn converted a penalty for Edinburgh. (17-13)
60:00 The DHL Stormers came out for the second half like a house on fire and added ten points within the first ten minutes. Thereafter, Edinburgh once again started to dominate, however, the match at this stage was evenly poised with both sides still able to win.
64:18 Manie Libbok added another three points with a converted penalty. (20-13)
67:10 Suleiman Hartzenberg intercepted a loose pass by Edinburgh to run seventy meters plus for his first try of the day. (27-13)
74:13 Sazi Sandi (DHL Stormers) was sent off with a red card.
75:10 Dave Cherry scored the second try for Edinburgh from the back of a 5m lineout maul. (27-18)
81:08 Suleiman Hartzenberg scored his second try of the day after some great work from Manie Libbok. (34-18)
Scorers:
DHL Stormers: Tries: Deon Fourie, Joseph Dweba, Suleiman Hartzenberg (2). Conversions: Manie Libbok (4). Penalties: Manie Libbok (2).
Edinburgh: Try: Pierre Schoeman, Dave Cherry. Conversion: Blair Kinghorn. Penalties: Blair Kinghorn (2).
Teams:
DHL Stormers: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Dan du Plessis, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Marvin Orie (captain), 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Ali Vermaak. Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Adre Smith, 20 Ernst van Rhyn, 21 Junior Pokomela, 22 Herschel Jantjies, 23 Sacha Mngomezulu.
Edinburgh Rugby: 15. Henry Immelman, 14. Darcy Graham, 13. Mark Bennett, 12. James Lang, 11. Damien Hoyland, 10. Blair Kinghorn, 9. Ben Vellacott, 8. Nick Haining, 7. Hamish Watson, 6. Jamie Ritchie (cc), 5. Grant Gilchrist (cc), 4. Sam Skinner, 3. WP Nel, 2. Stuart McInally, 1. Pierre Schoeman. Replacements: 16. Dave Cherry, 17. Boan Venter, 18. Luan de Bruin, 19. Glen Young, 20. Ben Muncaster, 21. Henry Pyrgos, 22. Charlie Savala, 23. Chris Dean.