Player Ratings: Stormers
OPINION: The South Africans looked in danger of being blown away after Leinster’s flying start but gradually clawed their way back into the contest.
By half-time they trailed only 13-8 and were very much alive. Their scrum frequently caused problems and there were periods where they looked the more dangerous side.
Ultimately, however, a disastrous spell of ill-discipline that culminated in multiple cards and a 20-minute red card for Ruan Ackermann left them with too much to do as their URC campaign ended in a 20-11 defeat.
*READ: Leinster player ratings
15. Damian Willemse – 3.5
Showed impressive hunger in the kick chase and was heavily involved throughout, but the numbers make for ugly reading. Credited with six turnovers conceded and also knocked on in a promising attacking position.
14. Wandisile Simelane – 7
Looked dangerous whenever he touched the ball and consistently asked questions of Leinster’s defence. Forced errors and competed fiercely in the air before being withdrawn.
13. Ruhan Nel – 5.5
Produced some threatening moments and a magnificent relieving kick midway through the second half.
12. Dan du Plessis – 7
Part of a midfield combination that became increasingly influential as the first half wore on. Carried strongly and defended with purpose.
11. Leolin Zas – 5.5
Showed glimpses of danger but his deliberate knock-on earned a yellow card and placed his side under further pressure at a crucial stage.
10. Jurie Matthee – 5
A strange evening. Missed a conversion, kicked a restart directly into touch and endured sustained pressure during a torrid opening half hour. To his credit he stuck in the fight, landed two penalties and kept competing right until the end.
9. Imad Khan – 7
One of the brighter Stormers performers. Showed nice touches throughout and produced an excellent break shortly after half-time that nearly changed the momentum of the game.
1. Ntuthuko Mchunu – 7.5
Part of a front row that generally had the upper hand in the scrum. Won an important penalty against Clarkson despite nursing an injury concern.
2. Andre-Hugo Venter – 6
An overthrown lineout early on hurt his side but he recovered and helped lay the platform for Adre Smith’s try.
3. Neethling Fouche – 8
A driving force behind the Stormers’ scrum dominance and consistently put Leinster under pressure at set-piece time.
4. Adre Smith – 8
Maybe Stormers’ standout forward. Crashed over for their try after sustained pressure near the Leinster line and carried aggressively throughout.
5. Connor Evans – 7.5
Excellent defensive work early on, including stuffing a Leinster lineout and producing a dominant tackle. A highly competitive display before being replaced.
6. Paul de Villiers – 7
An industrious afternoon, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Rarely stopped working.
7. Ben-Jason Dixon – 5.5
To his credit, he tackled his guts out but failed to make a significant impact before being withdrawn early in the second half.
8. Evan Roos – 7.5
Quiet by his standards initially and spilled a crucial ball near the Leinster line. Grew into the game impressively, however, finishing strongly with two breakdown steals and causing persistent headaches for Leinster.
Replacements – 4
A bench that promised plenty ultimately unravelled. Salmaan Moerat’s yellow card added to the chaos while Ruan Ackermann’s 20-minute red card after a yellow-card bunker review was pure brainrot stuff and effectively ended any realistic hopes of a comeback. There were positive contributions from Marcel Theunissen and Stefan Ungerer, but the collective impact was overshadowed by indiscipline and a final quarter spent battling against impossible odds.
