The DHL Stormers hosted the Cell C Sharks in Cape Town at 17h05 tonight and with a dominant 20-10 win claimed the number one position in the South African Shield.
An extremely physical first half came to an end with the Stormers a bit unlucky not to score a few tries in the latter part of the half. The Sharks will count them lucky to "only" trail with 03-07.
The Stormers continued their dominance in the second half and the result was never in doubt. A complete performance by the Stormers.
19:22 Tito Bonilla converted a penalty for the Sharks to open the scoring (00-03)
20:00 The first twenty minutes of the game was an even affair on the field, however, the Sharks were the more adventurous team with sometimes only the desperate defence from the hosts keeping the Sharks from scoring.
36:26 Seabelo Senatla collected his own grubber and scored the first try for the Stormers. (07-03)
40:00 A extremely physical first half came to an end with the Stormers a bit unlucky not to score a few tries in the latter part of the half. The Sharks will count them lucky to "only" trail with 03-07.
48:13 Manie Libbok converted a penalty for the Stormers. (10-03)
51:39 Adre Smith bulldozed his way over the Sharks tryline. The Stormers set up camp in the Sharks red zone for several minutes. (17-03)
60:00 The Stormers are the dominant side at this stage enjoying the major share of the ball and territorial advantage. The Sharks are definately not out of the match and made several substitutions with twenty minutes to go.
62:36 Grant Williams scored the first try of the match. Williams was an immediate spark for the Sharks as a replacement. (17-10)
69:32 Manie Libbok converted his second penalty for the Stormers. (20-10)
Scorers:
DHL Stormers: Tries: Seabelo Senatla, Adre Smith. Conversions: Manie Libbok (2). Penalties: Manie Libbok (2).
Cell C Sharks: Try: Grant Williams. Conversion: Boeta Chamberlain. Penalty: Tito Bonilla.
DHL Stormers: 15. Warrick Gelant, 14. Angelo Davids, 13. Ruhan Nel, 12. Dan du Plessis, 11. Seabelo Senatla, 10. Manie Libbok, 9. Herschel Jantjies, 8. Hacjivah Dayimani, 7. Ernst van Rhyn, 6. Deon Fourie, 5. Marvin Orie, 4. Adre Smith, 3. Brok Harris, 2. Siyabonga Ntubeni, 1. Steven Kitshoff (c). Replacements: 16. Andre-Hugo Venter, 17. Leon Lyons, 18. Sazi Sandi, 19. Ben-Jason Dixon, 20. Marcel Theunissen, 21. Nama Xaba, 22. Paul de Wet, 23. Damian Willemse.
Cell C Sharks: 15. Aphelele Fassi, 14. Sibusiso Nkosi, 13. Jeremy Ward, 12. Lukhanyo Am (c), 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 10. Tito Bonilla, 9. Jaden Hendrikse, 8. Phepsi Buthelezi, 7. Jeandre Labuschagne, 6. Siyamthanda Kolisi, 5. Hyron Andrews, 4. Ruben van Heerden, 3. Thomas du Toit, 2. Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1. Retshegofaditswe Nché. Replacements: 16. Kerron van Vuuren, 17. Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18. Khutha Mchunu, 19. Gerbrandt Grobler, 20. Henco Venter, 21. Grant Williams, 22. Boeta Chamberlain, 23. Werner Kok.