The DHL Stormers were made to work hard for a 31-16 first win over Benetton in Italy, in a stop-start match, which did not give the supporters much to cheer about.
Sazi Sandi bulldozed his way over in the corner to open the scoring against Benetton to hand the Stormers a 05-00 lead following five minutes of play in the first half.
Jacob Umaga converted two penalties in quick succession; thereafter, Jurie Mathee converted a penalty.
With ten minutes still to play in the first half, Louis Lynagh showed his pace at the wing to score Benetton’s first try. Umaga converted to extend Benetton’s lead to 13-08.
Umaga converted a penalty with five minutes to play, extending their lead to 16-08, which was also the score at the halftime break.
Following five minutes of action in the second half. Jurie Matthee converted a penalty to cut Benetton’s lead to 16-11.
Brilliant interplay by the Stormers off a turnover led to Jurie Matthee scoring the Stormers' second try. Matthee converted to secure an 18-16 lead for the Stormers with thirty minutes still to play.
Jurie Matthee converted two penalties in the following twenty minutes of play to extend the Stormers' lead to 24-16.
With time running out, Zac Porthen scored off the back of a lineout-maul to secure a 31-16 win.
Teams:
Benetton: 15 Matt Gallagher, 14 Louis Lynagh, 13 Tommaso Menoncello, 12 Leonardo Marin, 11 Ignacio Mendy, 10 Jacob Umaga, 9 Andy Uren, 8 Lorenzo Cannone, 7 Michele Lamaro (c), 6 Sebastian Negri, 5 Riccardo Favretto (c), 4 Niccolò Cannone, 3 Simone Ferrari, 2 Siua Maile, 1 Thomas Gallo. Replacements: 16 Bautista Bernasconi, 17 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 18 Giosué Zilocchi, 19 Federico Ruzza, 20 Manuel Zuliani, 21 So’otala Fa’aso’o, 22 Alessandro Garbisi, 23 Filippo Drago.
DHL Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel (captain), 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Sazi Sandi, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Vernon Matongo. Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Adré Smith, 20 Ruben van Heerden, 21 Ruan Ackermann, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Wandisile Simelane.