Glasgow Warriors defeated Connacht 33-21 at Scotstoun Stadium to advance to the United Rugby Championship play-off semi-finals against the winner between Vodacom Bulls and Munster, to be played in Pretoria on Saturday at 13:00 (SA Time)
Led by a man-of-the-match performance from captain Kyle Steyn, Franco Smith's team outscored the visitors five tries to three in a thrilling knockout encounter.
Connacht struck early in the 4th minute with a driving try from Cian Prendergast. Glasgow responded via close-range pressure as prop Patrick Schickerling hurled himself over.
Connacht's Sam Illo saw a yellow card in the 14th minute, but Glasgow failed to capitalize, and the sides went into the break locked at 7-7.
Kyle Steyn ignited the hosts early in the second half, executing a critical 50-22 before gathering a Sione Tuipulotu pass to score and put Glasgow ahead.
The game broke wide open as Josh McKay and Jare Oguntibeju crossed for Glasgow. Connacht fought back hard with second-half scores from Dave Heffernan and Finlay Bealham to keep the pressure on.
Steyn secured the result with his second try of the night, stretching the gap to 12 points and sealing the 33-21win.
Scorers:
Glasgow Warriors: Tries: Patrick Schickerling, Kyle Steyn, Josh McKay, Olujare Oguntibeju, Kyle Steyn. Conversions: George Horne (4).
Connacht Rugby: Tries: Cian Prendergast, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham. Conversions: Sam Gilbert (3).
Teams
Glasgow Warriors: 15 Josh McKay, 14 Kyle Steyn (captain), 13 Stafford McDowall, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Kyle Rowe, 10 Dan Lancaster, 9 George Horne, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Rory Darge, 6 Matt Fagerson, 5 Alex Samuel, 4 Scott Cummings, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 Johnny Matthews, 1 Patrick Schickerling. Replacements: 16 Gregor Hiddleston, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Jare Oguntibeju, 20 Euan Ferrie, 21 Sione Vailanu, 22 Jack Oliver, 23 Ollie Smith.
Connacht Rugby: 15 Sam Gilbert, 14 Shane Jennings, 13 John Devine, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Shayne Bolton, 10 Josh Ioane, 9 Ben Murphy, 8 Paul Boyle, 7 Shamus Hurley-Langton, 6 Cian Prendergast (captain), 5 Josh Murphy, 4 Darragh Murray, 3 Sam Illo, 2 Dylan Tierney-Martin, 1 Billy Bohan. Replacements: 16 Dave Heffernan, 17 Peter Dooley, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Joe Joyce, 20 Sean O’Brien, 21 Matthew Devine, 22 Hugh Gavin, 23 Sean Naughton.