The DHL Stormers’ 15-game run without a loss in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship came to an end in Cardiff on Saturday night.
It was all square at half time at Cardiff Arms Park, and the Stormers went on to finish the match having outscored the home side by four tries to two, but a masterclass kicking performance from Wales and Cardiff flyhalf Rhys Priestland consigned the tourists to a surprise 30-24 defeat.
The Stormers had the lion’s share of possession from the opening whistle but handling errors at key moments let them down, and two penalties from Priestland and a perfect kick to left wing Theo Cabango for a try put the hosts in front at the close of the first quarter.
Yet, it was 14-14 at the break, a Priestland penalty pulling Cardiff level after the Stormers took the lead with two converted tries from openside flank Nama Xaba and winger Leolin Zas, the former rumbling over from a powerful lineout drive before the latter ran a good line on to a deft Manie Libbok kick.
However, the visitors had to finish the half a man down after No 8 Hacjivah Dayimani was sent to the naughty chair for an unavoidable head-on-head collision with hooker Kristian Dacey.
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What a DIVE! ?
What a TRY! ?
What a SCORE! ? @Vodacom #URC | #CARvSTO pic.twitter.com/r7iDDMZg6S— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) October 22, 2022
Cardiff struck first after the break when right wing Jason Harries dotted down off another tactical kick from Priestland, who added the extras, only for the Stormers to pull a try back via another Xaba touchdown.
The boot of Priestland extended the home side’s lead by five points, but substitute flank Junior Pokomela restored parity when he barged over from close range early in the final quarter.
The Welsh pivot put Cardiff back into the lead with another clean strike from the kicking tee, and crucial turnovers from the hosts at the death inside their 22 denied the charging Stormers, before Priestland’s goal at the final hooter rubbed salt into the wounds for John Dobson’s men.
