The Stormers brought their five-match losing streak to an emphatic end with a 29-10 win over the Lions at Cape Town Stadium, giving their United Rugby Championship (URC) campaign a much-needed boost. Despite their performance showing some flaws, the Cape Town side demonstrated enough grit and dominance to climb to 12th place on the log after starting the match at 13th. Coming up against a Lions team positioned fifth on the log, the Stormers made a bold statement.
Although the scoreline appears comprehensive, the match was not smooth sailing for the hosts. The Stormers raced to a 15-0 lead with three first-half tries, but missed conversions and occasional overplaying kept the Lions within reach. Despite their efforts, the Lions succumbed to their own ill-discipline, highlighted by red cards for Ruben Schoeman and yellow for Manny Ras, leaving them vulnerable and enabling the Stormers to secure their bonus-point victory.
The Stormers started strong, commanding possession and territory. Hooker Joseph Dweba powered over for two rolling maul tries, and winger Suleiman Hartzenberg added another after receiving a perfectly weighted kick from flyhalf Manie Libbok. Despite their initial success, the Stormers’ failure to convert these tries from the tee kept the Lions' hopes alive. The Lions, proving their own worst enemies, saw Schoeman earn a red card after a reckless cleanout on Libbok just 21 minutes in, leaving them short-handed and struggling to assert their game.
After halftime, the Lions came out with renewed vigor, with winger Edwill van der Merwe showcasing his skills through a clever chip-and-chase try from within his own half. Nevertheless, Ras's deliberate knock-on shortly after entering reduced the Lions to 14 players again. The Stormers immediately capitalized with Leolin Zas scoring the bonus-point try, extending the score to 22-5. The Lions fought back resiliently, even seeing replacement hooker Franco Marais score from a well-executed short lineout play, but their efforts were largely thwarted by handling errors and penalties.
Late-game slip-ups almost allowed the Lions back in, as risky plays from the Stormers included an audacious cross-field kick-pass from Libbok behind his own try line. Despite this, the Stormers secured the match with composure, as prop Neethling Fouche dotted down late, solidifying their 29-10 victory. This win showcased flashes of the Stormers' potential but highlighted areas needing improvement, especially their handling and finishing.
Post-match, Stormers director of rugby John Dobson expressed relief with the win but acknowledged the challenges still to come. "It was all about getting the win," he shared. "Losing four in a row, it's tough. You start to have self-doubts, but the most important thing was the win." He appreciated the Lions' tenacity, noting their strong position on the log, and emphasized the need to improve discipline moving forward, stating, "The job’s only half done."
The victory came at the cost of playmaker Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who suffered a hip pointer after a heavy tackle, leaving his return schedule uncertain. His absence was noted, as he had been instrumental alongside Libbok and Warrick Gelant earlier in the match.
Another highlight for the Stormers was the return of skipper Deon Fourie, who had been sidelined for eight months. His contributions and emotional return were pivotal, as Fourie stated, "Just to hit the first ruck to get the old feeling back… Happy to be back.” His presence was felt both on the field and within the locker room, as players regained their morale and direction.
Looking forward, the Stormers will now focus on their upcoming match against the Sharks, scheduled to take place at Cape Town Stadium. With newfound momentum and confidence, they will aim to extend their winning streak and solidify their positions for potential playoff contention. Nonetheless, attention must be paid to improving their overall execution to build upon this win and fulfill their ambitions as the season progresses.
