Stormers batter Sharks to submission

 

The victory, by two tries to one, saw the Stormers remain unbeaten – one of just two teams to boast that record – and they also moved to the top of the overall Super Rugby log, as well as opening up a valuable six-point lead on the SA Conference.

 

It was a brutal match, contested by two hungry teams in front of a massive crowd of 40,232 at Newlands but it was the hosts who prevailed after yet another disciplined and effective showing from the top team in South Africa.

 

Young wing Johnny Kotze scored a brilliant first-half try, a product of a great kick-chase from a defensive position, whilst the unerring boot of Demetri Catrakilis helped put the hosts into a narrow 13-10 lead at half-time.

 

The second half, however, belonged entirely to the Stormers conceded just three penalties and won six – an indication of the quality of the match and also of the discipline of the hosts, despite having Nic Groom sin-binned in the first half.

 

Catrakilis landed two more penalty goals in the second half before making way for Coleman in the flyhalf position, but it was a penalty try 13 minutes from full-time that settled this encounter.

 

Coleman not only converted the penalty try but also slotted a 72nd-minute penalty – after Frans Steyn was yellow carded for another late tackle on Cheslin Kolbe – putting the icing on the cake for the Stormers, despite having a 77th minute Juan de Jongh try cancelled out for an off-sides call by the TMO.

 

The Stormers scrum was in dominant form throughout, with inside centre Damian de Allende delivering yet another muscular display.