Manie Libbok converted a last-minute try to give the DHL Stormers a famous victory over defending champions La Rochelle in Cape Town on Saturday.
Libbok’s conversion of Andre-Hugo Venter’s try capped off a sensational comeback as the Stormers claimed a 21-20 victory in their first game of the season at Cape Town Stadium, after the hosts trailed by 11 points early in the second half.
KEO: Stormers win POINTS to the changing of the guard
Ice cold ❄️
Manie Libbok converts for @THESTORMERS in the last kick of the game to defeat the defending champions La Rochelle!#InvestecChampionsCup #STOvLAR pic.twitter.com/gzkMoAjZjp
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) December 16, 2023
The win sees the Stormers open their account in the Champions Cup, after having a losing bonus-point cruelly ripped from them in Leicester.
It seemed the same was set to happen in Cape Town, as La Rochelle were awarded a controversial try early in the second half after former Stormers wing Dillyn Leyds appeared to have knocked the ball in the build-up, before throwing a forward pass to try-scorer Yoan Tanga.
Knock-on or no knock-on? 👀
After a TMO review, @staderochelais are granted their second try against DHL Stormers thanks to Dillyn Leyds finding Yoan Tanga 👏#InvestecChampionsCup #STOvLAR pic.twitter.com/88X85k8KCq
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) December 16, 2023
This came after La Rochelle went into the break leading by seven points, with Tawera Kerr-Barlow’s seventh-minute try punishing some poor defence from the Stormers.
Un petit solo de @BourgaritP ?
Le match commence bien pour le @StadeRochelais en Afrique du Sud en #InvestecChampionsCup! pic.twitter.com/VwP152HTNx
— Investec Champions Cup France (@ChampionsCup_FR) December 16, 2023
The Stormers hit back and narrowed the deficit when Ben Loader gave the crowd something to shout about with an excellent take and finish from a Damian Willemse cross-field kick.
Ben Loader, that was glorious 🔥@THESTORMERS are brought straight back into the game as Loader manages to retain the ball in a 50/50 and go straight for the corner 🌟#InvestecChampionsCup #STOvLAR pic.twitter.com/K4nWkJ0FN4
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) December 16, 2023
The crucial turning point came in the 76th minute, when flyhalf Antoine Hastoy rounded off a turnover to score the match-winning try.
However, the TMO spotted an earlier head-on-head clash on Stormers hooker Venter, and the try was chalked off while La Rochelle loosehead prop Joel Sclavi was sent to the sin bin.
A dramatic final few minutes for DHL Stormers and La Rochelle! 🫣
La Rochelle have their third try disallowed and are down to 14 after this collision in the build up.#InvestecChampionsCup #STOLAR pic.twitter.com/k8e5Hr6zKF
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) December 16, 2023
Though they had wasted plenty of opportunities in the second half, the Stormers made no mistake with their final roll of the dice, as Venter went over from a massive driving maul, before Libbok held his nerve to nail a wide-angle conversion for the win.
The Stormers are next in action with a Vodacom URC derby against the Vodacom Bulls on Saturday, 23 December in Cape Town.
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images