The DHL Stormers turned on the style in the second half to claim a bonus-point victory over a determined Benetton side in the final round of Vodacom United Rugby Championship action in Stellenbosch on Friday night.
After taking a slim two-point lead into the break thanks to a try in the final play of the first half, the Stormers came out firing in the second half to power to a 38-22 victory under the Friday night lights at the Danie Craven Stadium.
The win sees the Stormers temporarily take back second place on the Vodacom URC log, with Ulster still to play Edinburgh in Belfast later on Friday.
While it is job done for the Stormers as far as the result is concerned, the win came at a real cost as the hosts lost both No 4 locks Ruben van Heerden and Ernst van Rhyn to injuries in the first half. Seabelo Senatla was concussed in an aerial challenge in the second half.
As far as the match was concerned, the Stormers had a real battle on their hands in the first half, as Benetton created pressure through Dewaldt Duvenage’s kicking game and scored a couple of excellent tries.
Alessandro Izekor ? Damian Willemse… What a classic URC rugby moment ?#BKTURC #URC| #STOvBEN | #UnitedWeRise | @BenettonRugby pic.twitter.com/Q1qJA108rs
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) April 21, 2023
First half was a blaze ?@TheStormers keep their 2nd place dream alive ⚡️@Vodacom #URC| #STOvBEN | #UnitedWeRise pic.twitter.com/vzqUJcbmSp
— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) April 21, 2023
This season’s top point scorer, Manie Libbok doing Manie Libbok things ?
That’s how you kick-start the Round 18 party ?#BKTURC #URC| #STOvBEN | #UnitedWeRise | @TheStormers pic.twitter.com/ypQrJT9ear
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) April 21, 2023
The hosts were able to take a 12-10 lead into half time when Willie Engelbrecht forced his way over from a maul.
That driving maul turned into a real weapon in the second half, as it produced tries for hooker JJ Kotze and loose forward Marcel Theunissen. The Stormers were able to mix and match as an early counter attack in the half produced Engelbrecht’s second try, while a wonderful first-phase move from a lineout saw Dan du Plessis put Clayton Blommetjies over in the corner.
Benetton refused to go down without a fight, scoring another couple of tries to grab a bonus point for themselves and add a bit of gloss to the scoreline.
Photo: Shaun Roy/BackpagePix