Stormers back on top

The Stormers reclaimed their place at the top of the South African conference with a hard-earned 31-15 win over the Rebels at Newlands on Saturday.

Outscoring the visitors by three tries to two, the Stormers also moved back into the top three on the global standings – displacing the Bulls – who were also overtaking by a rampaging Lions team.

Dillyn Leyds scored two tries, but the Stormers may yet rue their failure to get a four-try bonus point, but the win ensure their encounter with the Lions in a fortnight may well be the conference decider.

The 22-year-old wing scored late in the first half and early in the second – while the home side collected four precious points in Cape Town after building an 18-7 half-time advantage.

Stormers lead the Lions by two points and the Bulls by three, with three league rounds left in the Southern Hemisphere championship.

Three South African derbies lie ahead for the Stormers – who host the Cheetahs and the Lions, before tackling the Sharks in Durban.

The Australian, New Zealand and South African conference winners, plus the sides finishing fourth, fifth and sixth overall secure knock-out places.

All the pre-match media attention had been on Stormers wing Seabelo Senatla, who had a quiet Super Rugby return this season – after starring for South Africa in the Sevens World Series.

Senatla completed the seven-a-side circuit as the leading try scorer with 43, and a nomination for player of the series.

But it was Leyds on the other wing before a 23,000 crowd on a Newlands stadium pitch softened by heavy pre-match rain.

His first try in opening-half stoppage time came gift-wrapped from Rebels hooker Pat Leafa, whose careless pass inside the visitors 22-metre area was intercepted for a soft try.

The second try six minutes after half-time was special, and created by one of many powerful scrum shoves from the formidable Stormers pack.

Skipper and No.8 Duane Vermeulen took the ball forward and scrumhalf Louis Schreuder continued the move before Leyds cut inside a host of Rebels for a memorable score.

Flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis converted for a 28-10 lead and while the Melbourne outfit battled bravely, they never seriously challenged the Stormers.

"We enjoyed the game and while a four-try bonus point would have been nice, we will take the win," said Vermeulen.

"There are three derbies ahead and there is no love lost between South African sides. However, it will help that two of them are in front of our fantastic supporters."

Outstanding Rebels No.8 and skipper Scott Higginbotham said: "Reviewing this match will be painful as we committed many errors."

Centre Damian de Allende was the Stormers' other try scorer and Catrakilis claimed 16 points from two conversions and four penalties.

Centre Dominic Shipperley and wing Tom English crossed the try-line for the Australian outfit and full-back Mike Harris kicked a conversion and flyhalf Jack Debreczeni a penalty.

Man of the match: Sean McMahon was the Rebels' most productive forward, both in terms of defence and attack – making 47 metres in his 10 carries. Only Dom Shipperley made more metres in the visiting team but McMahon's defence was superior. Damian de Allende was a constant threat with ball in hand, while his defence was not shabby either – 11 tackles and two missed tackles. Dillyn Leyds also displayed his attacking prowess. Schalk Burger was also very productive, although his missed tackle count was somewhat higher than expected. You seldom look much further than Stormers captain and No.8 Duane Vermeulen and he wins our award after a game that saw him make 10 carries, 14 tackles and being a real nuisance at the breakdown.

The scorers:

For the Stormers:

Tries: De Allende, Leyds 2

Cons: Catrakilis 2

Pens: Catrakilis 4

For the Rebels:

Tries: Shipperley, English

Cons: Harris

Pens: Debreczeni

Teams:

Stormers: 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Duane Vermeulen (captain), 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Manuel Carizza, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Siyabonga Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff.

Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Jean Kleyn, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Nic Groom, 22 Kurt Coleman, 23 Huw Jones.

Rebels: 15 Mike Harris, 14 Tom English, 13 Dom Shipperley, 12 Mitch Inman, 11 Cam Crawford, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 9 Nic Stirzaker, 8 Scott Higginbotham (captain), 7 ,Scott Fuglistaller 6 Sean McMahon, 5 Lopeti Timani, 4 Luke Jones, 3 Paul Alo-Emile, 2 Pat Leafa, 1 Cruze Ah-Nau.

Replacements: 16 Tom Sexton, 17 Keita Inagaki, 18 Laurie Weeks, 19 Cadeyrn Neville, 20 Jordy Reid, 21 Colby Fainga'a, 22 Luke Burgess, 23 Bryce Hegarty.

Referee: Stuart Berry (South Africa)

Assistant referees: Quinton Immelman (South Africa), Rodney Boneparte (South Africa)

TMO: Deon van Blommestein (South Africa)