Stormers’ second-half surge sinks Lions

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The DHL Stormers fought back from 12 points down to claim an impressive win over the Emirates Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday.

The defending Vodacom URC champions came into this game as underdogs having made eight changes to the team that lost to Cardiff last weekend and had their preparation week disrupted. 

The Lions, who won all three of their recent tour matches, had the luxury of fielding an unchanged XV.

Yet, it was the Stormers who raised their game on the Highveld in the second half of this Vodacom United Rugby Championship encounter, scoring three tries to secure a 31-22 victory.

Jordan Hendrikse slotted two early penalties for the Lions, but the Stormers hit back when Paul de Wet took a quick penalty tap from which Angelo Davids scored after bouncing off Quan Horn.

The hosts were reduced to 14 men on the 22-minute mark when the TMO spotted a “swinging arm” from Hendrikse. After a delay of several minutes and numerous replays, the officials decided there had been “indirect contact to the head” and the Lions flyhalf was shown yellow.

However, the Stormers failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage, with Sanele Nohamba kicking two penalties to put the hosts ahead 15-10.

Restored to their full complement, the Lions struck late in the half when good work from Andries Coetzee, Ruan Venter and Emmanuel Tshituka put Henco van Wyk into space.

The 21-year-old centre, who has been selected for the South Africa A squad, evaded Manie Libbok’s tackle and was able to ground the ball over the line despite Clayton Blommetjies’ best efforts.

The Stormers played their way back into the game after the break and thought they’d scored when Hacjivah Dayimani went over from a lineout maul, but the officials again went up to the TMO and decided there had been obstruction.

The visitors got their due reward soon after, though, when Libbok’s kick behind the Lions’ defence was collected by Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

With 10 minutes to go, Blommetjies ran the perfect line after a sustained attack and Libbok’s conversion put the Stormers ahead 24-22.

The visitors then secured victory – and a try-scoring bonus point – when Nama Xaba went over from a lineout maul.

Photo: Steve Haag/BackpagePix

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Simon Borchardt