The DHL Stormers continued their unbeaten streak against the South African teams, eight wins in a row, with a clinical 46-19 bonus point win against the Cell C Starks in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.
The DHL Stormers' domination grew as the game continued resulting in great tries that gave the DHL Stormers s 14-00 lead after the first 20 minutes of the match
Although the Sharks clawed their way back into the match during the second quarter the DHL Stormers added 10 points to their first-quarter tally. The Cell C Sharks did score a converted try late in the first half, however, the Cell C Sharks need to limit the penalties they conceded (9-1) in the second half if they want to stand any chance to pull off a surprise win.
The statistics showed that the Cell C Sharks dominated territory as well as possession, however, the poor defence by the home team allowed the DHL Stormers to increase their lead to 43-07. The DHL Stormers the deserved 46-19 winners.
As it Happened:
01:52 Herschel Jantjies scored the DHL Stormers following a great turnover ball in their own half. (00-07)
17:49 Ruben van Heerden runs onto an inside pass and barges his way over the tryline of the Cell C Sharks. (00-14)
24:35 Manie Libbok converted a penalty for the DHL Stormers. (00-17)
31:50 Joseph Dweba scored from an 8m lineout-maul. (00-24)
38:36 Gerbrandt Grobler slips through a gap to open the score for the Cell C Sharks with a try. (07-24)
41:26 Seabelo Senatla beat two defenders on his way to the Cell C Sharks tryline for the DHL Stormers bonus point and fourth try. (07-31)
48:40 Suleiman Hartzenberg scored the DHL Stormers' 5th try. A dropped ball by the Cell C Sharks in the 22m of the DHL Stormers ended in a try on the other side of the field. (07-38)
57:48 Manie Libbok control a ball knocked on by the Cell C Sharks to score another try for the DHL Stormers. (07-43)
62:42 Dan Jooste caught the DHL Stormers napping as he broke from the front of the line-out to score the Cell C Sharks' second try. (14-43)
69:22 Gerbrandt Grobler controlled a lineout ball to dive over for the Sharks' second try. (19-43)
74:11 Manie Libbok converted a second penalty for the DHL Stormers. (19-46)
Scorers:
Cell C Sharks: Tries: Gerbrandt Grobler (2), Dan Jooste. Conversions: Curwin Bosch (2).
DHL Stormers: Tries: Herschel Jantjies, Ruben van Heerden, Joseph Dweba, Seabelo Senatla, Many Libbok. Conversions: Clayton Blommetjies, Many Libbok (4). Penalties: Manie Libbok (2).
Teams:
Cell C Sharks: 15. Aphelele Fassi, 14. Marnus Potgieter, 13. Ben Tapuai, 12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11. Thaakir Abrahams, 10. Curwin Bosch, 9. Cameron Wright, 8. Phepsi Buthelezi (c), 7. Henco Venter, 6. James Venter, 5. Gerbrandt Grobler, 4. Hyron Andrews, 3. Carlü Sadie, 2. Kerron van Vuuren, 1. Ntuthuko Mchunu. Replacements: 16. Dan Jooste, 17. Dian Bleuler, 18. Hanro Jacobs, 19. Reniel Hugo, 20. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21. Bradley Davids, 22. Lionel Cronje, 23. Yaw Penxe.
DHL Stormers: 15. Clayton Blommetjies, 14. Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13. Ruhan Nel, 12. Dan du Plessis, 11. Seabelo Senatla, 10. Manie Libbok, 9. Herschel Jantjies, 8. Marcel Theunissen, 7. Junior Pokomela, 6. Deon Fourie (c), 5. Gary Porter, 4. Ruben van Heerden, 3. Neethling Fouche, 2. Joseph Dweba, 1. Brok Harris. Replacements: 16. Andre-Hugo Venter, 17. Ali Vermaak, 18. Sazi Sandi, 19. Ben-Jason Dixon, 20. Willie Engelbrecht, 21. Keke Morabe, 22. Paul de Wet, 23.Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
