Seven tries for Stormers in Nelspruit
MATCH REPORT: An extended Stormers squad ran in seven tries in their training match against the Pumas Nelspruit on Wednesday after the hosts came back strong in the second half.
The Stormers won the hit-out 45-26 but coach John Dobson will not be happy with the way in which they let the Pumas launch a spirited fightback to win the second half with three tries to two.
The Stormers squad made a strong start, with fit-again centre Ruhan Nel scoring twice in the first 15 minutes of play.
His midfield partner Dan du Plessis added another try, which saw the visitors go into the first water break on the 20-minute mark 19-0 up.
Wing Leolin Zas was next on the scoreboard before the hosts scored a try of their own, but Zas made it a double after that to send his team into the half-time break with a 33-7 advantage.
There were tries in the second half from outside backs Sako Makata and Luke Burger, while the home side scored another three tries of their own in an entertaining pre-season outing.
Two tries each from Ruhan Nel and Leolin Zas as well as one from Dan du Plessis as our backline players shine in the first half at Nelspruit Rugby Club. #iamastormer #dhldelivers
📸 Kaptured Concepts pic.twitter.com/6mxzcE9mZ8
ADVERTISEMENT— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) September 18, 2024
The Pumas only managed one try in the first half through the efforts of Jeandre Leonard, but their fightback in the second half saw Clinton Swart, Darren Adonis, and Hanno Theunissen cross the whitewash.
Swart also converted two tries.
The Stormers are set to start their United Rugby Championship campaign with a three-week European tour starting next week.
Scorers:
For the Stormers:
Tries: Nel 2, Du Plessis, Zas 2, Makata, Burger
Cons: Matthee 5
For the Pumas:
Tries: Leonard, Swart, Adonis,Theunissen
Cons: Visagie, Swart 2
Squads:
Stormers: Forwards: Andre-Hugo Venter, Adre Smith, Brok Harris, Dave Ewers, Hendre Stassen, JD Schickerling, Joseph Dweba, Keke Morabe, Leon Lyons, Marcel Theunissen, Neethling Fouche, Ruben van Heerden, Sibusiso Sangweni, Willie Engelbrecht, Zachary Porthen.
Backs: Angelo Davids, Dan du Plessis, Jean-Luc du Plessis, Jurie Matthee, Leolin Zas, Luke Burger, Paul de Wet, Ruhan Nel, Sako Makata, Stefan Ungerer, Wandisile Simelane.
Pumas: Dewald Maritz, Etienne Janeke, Sampie Swiegers, Buhle Nojekwa, Munashe Mhere, Jan-Henning Campher, Darnell Osuagwu, Eduan Swart, Shane Kirkwood, Tiaan de Klerk, Jeandre Leonard, Hanno Theunissen, Andre Fouche, Ntsika Fisanti, Jaco Labuschagne, Ruwarld van der Merwe, Anele Lungisa, Kwanda, Dimaza, Marvellous Mashimbyi, Richman Gora, Russwill Fredericks, Keegan Shcaefer, Danrich Visagie, Clinton Swart, Wian van Niekerk, Theuns Pretorius, De-An Ackermann, Darren Adonis, Lundi Msenge, Kabelo Mokoena, Zelinga Strydom, Phiko Sobahle, Tino Swanepoel
