Photo by Gallo Images
The Stormers won their opening match of the Super Rugby rebooted with 34-21.
The Stormers were happy to use their dominance up front to wrestle a win against the Lions while a second-half Lions 15 man bomb squad almost managed to secure a win against the Stormers.
The Lions started like a house on fire and scored their first try after just 5 minutes of play. The Stormers replied with a converted penalty 5 minutes later, however, the strength of the Stormers scrum started to take its toll from the first minute. The Stormers scored their first try from a dominant scrum to take the lead with 10-7 and 22 minutes to go.
The Stormers were happy to bully the Lions upfront which enabled them to slow down the pace of the game. The third try of the Stormers came after 44 minutes in the first half that gave the Stormers a 20-7 lead at halftime.
Nothing much changed in the second half with Stormers cruising at a snail pace to a convincing win. A superb try by Galant gave the Stormers a 27-7 lead with 30 minutes left on the clock.
A 15 man bomb squad replacement by the Lions with 30 minutes to go produced the goods the coaching staff hoped for. Not only did the Lions scored their second try of the match within minutes, but the momentum swung completely in their favour, as the Lions reduced the Stormers lead to 27-14.
With 20 minutes to go the momentum was still with the Lions who were behind with 21-27. Unfortunately, the last quarter became a bit of a bore but a late try by the Stormers with 1 minute to go secured a Stormers win with 34-21.
Nothing much to get excited about and the coaches from both teams has still a lot of work to do before they come up against a very good Blue Bulls side.
Scorers:
Lions: Tries: Courtnall Skosan, Jamba Ulengo, MJ Pelser. Conversions: Elton Jantjies, Gianni Lombard (2).
Stormers: Tries: Dan du Plessis, Scarra Ntubeni, Siya Kolisi, Warrick Gelant, Paul de Wet. Conversion: Damian Willemse (2), Tim Swiel. Penalty: Damian Willemse.
Lions: 15. Divan Rossouw, 14. Rabz Maxwane, 13. Wandisile Simelane, 12. Burger Odendaal, 11. Courtnall Skosan, 10. Elton Jantjies (captain), 9. Andre Warner, 8. Hacjivah Dayimani, 7. Vincent Tshituka, 6. Jaco Kriel, 5. Marvin Orie, 4. Ruben Schoeman, 3. Ruan Dreyer, 2. Jaco Visagie, 1. Dylan Smith. Replacements: 16. Sti Sithole, 17. Jan-Henning Campher, 18. Carlu Sadie, 19. Wilhelm van der Sluys, 20. Reinhard Nothnagel, 21. MJ Pelser, 22. Francke Horn, 23. Len Massyn, 24. Dillon Smit, 25. Gianni Lombard, 26. Tiaan Swanepoel, 27. Daniel Kriel, 28. Manuel Rass, 29. Jamba Ulengo, 30. EW Viljoen.
Stormers: 15. Warrick Gelant, 14. Leolin Zas, 13. Dan du Plessis, 12. Rikus Pretorius, 11. Seabelo Senatla, 10. Damian Willemse, 9. Herschel Jantjies, 8. Juarno Augustus, 7. Ernst van Rhyn, 6. Siya Kolisi (captain), 5. JD Schickerling, 4. Salmaan Moerat, 3. Frans Malherbe, 2. Scarra Ntubeni, 1. Steven Kitshoff. Replacements: 16. Bongi Mbonambi, 17. Leon Lyons, 18. Neethling Fouche, 19. Chris van Zyl, 20. Nama Xaba, 21. Hannes Gouws, 22. Paul de Wet, 23. Tim Swiel, 24. Michal Haznar, 25. Angelo Davids, 26. Tristan Leyds.