The DHL Stormers reserved their place in the United Rugby Championship semi-final against Connacht in Cape Town, following their 33-21 win against the Vodacom Bulls.
The DHL Stormers started like a house on fire and led 17-00 after scoring two converted tries and a converted penalty. However, the Vodacom Bulls clawed their way back into the match and deservedly scored a try just before the halftime break to trail 07-17. The DHL Stormers continue to dominate the play in the second half and deservedly won 33-21. DHL Stormers will meet Connacht next week Saturday in the semi-final of the United Rugby Championship in Cape Town.
The DHL Stormers started like a house on fire with the sustained pressure by the home team resulting in Hacjivah Dayimani walking across the tryline on the corner as the Vodacom Bulls defence ran out of defenders.
Manie Libbok converted a penalty to increase the DHL Stormers lead to 10-00 after sixteen minutes of play in the first half.
A yellow card was shown to Cyle Brink (Vodacom Bulls), whereafter, the DHL Stormers stepped up their attack. Leolin Zas scored the DHL Stormers' second try following wave after wave of attacks, which once again opened a gap out wide for Zas to stroll over.
Cyle Brink scored the Vodacom Bulls' first try of the match following a 5m lineout, the maul which was masterfully controlled by the Vodacom Bulls.
The DHL Stormers led 17-07 at the end of the first half with the Vodacom Bulls a bit lucky to go into the second half trailing by just ten points.
Manie Libbok converted a penalty after three minutes of play to extend the DHL Stormers lead to 20-07. The DHL Stormers scored their third try minutes later when Angelo Davids finishes off another try, as the Stormers start to run away with the game and led 27-07 after six minutes of play in the second half.
The Vodacom Bulls scored their second try following some personal brilliance by Embrose Papier beating several defenders on his way to his try. However, a converted penalty by Manie Libbok extended their lead to 30-14 and eighteen minutes to play in the second half.
The DHL Stormers continue to dominate the play and scored a converted penalty, whereafter, Bismarck du Plessis scored a consolation try after time was already up on the clock.
The DHL Stormers deservedly won 33-21 and will meet Connacht next week Saturday in the semi-final of the United Rugby Championship in Cape Town.
Scorers:
DHL Stormers: Tries: Hacjivah Dayimani, Leolin Zas, Angelo Davids. Conversions: Manie Libbok (3). Penalties: Manie Libbok (4).
Vodacom Bulls: Tries: Cyle Brink, Embrose Papier. Conversions: Johan Goosen, Chris Smith (2).
Teams:
DHL Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Steven Kitshoff (c). Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Gary Porter, 20 Ben-Jason Dixon, 21 Willie Engelbrecht, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
Vodacom Bulls: 15 Johan Goosen, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 David Kriel, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje (c), 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp. Replacements: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Chris Smith, Sibongile Novuka.
