Stormers beat the Bulls...again
MATCH REPORT: The defending URC champions the Stormers booked their place in the semifinals with a commanding 33-21 victory over the Bulls at Cape Town Stadium.
The win means the Stormers will host Irish side Connacht at Cape Town Stadium next Saturday for a chance to play in the Grand Final.
*To recap all the actions: CLICK HERE!!!
The Stormers headed into the quarterfinal clash against the Bulls as clear favourites. They have recorded home and away victories over the arch-rivals and on Saturday extended their winning streak to a sixth straight win.
Both teams scored three tries a piece.
However, the boot of Stormers’ flyhalf Manie Libbok proved to be the difference.
The flyhalf added 18 points to the team’s tally – three conversions and four penalties, while his overall performance was just as flawless. The Bok along with his teammate Herschel Jantjies were in fine form and kept the Bulls under pressure.
It was pure intensity from the kick-off, with the Stormers dominating the opening exchanges.
The Cape Town-based side pinned the Bulls inside their own 22 and after relentless pressure, Libbok split opened the Bulls’ defence and set the platform for flank Hacjivah Dayimani to score for the early 7-0 lead.
Libbok made it 10-0 when the Bulls conceded a scrum penalty.
With the end of the first quarter approaching, the Bulls found themselves with the ball in hand, However, individual errors were the theme of their display and they struggled.
The visitors had a chance to register some points on the board after Marvin Orie was penalised for a no-arms tackle, but flyhalf Johan Goosen missed the uprights.
It went from bad to worse for the Bulls as they went down to 14 men – Cyle Brink yellow carded for tackling an opponent without the ball.
The extra man gave the Stormers an extra advantage. From a stolen lineout the Stomrers orchestrated a lethal counter-attack which was rounded off by wing Leolin Zas for the 17-0 lead.
The Bulls finally got a point on the boards just before the break. They set up the line-out drive and got great momentum before Brink, fresh from his yellow card, sneaked over the line. Goosen added the two points which saw his team heading the lockers 7-17 down.
Despite not enjoying a lot of positives, the Bulls’ defence was solid and they kept themselves in the contest.
Bulls suffered a major blow when Goosen had to stretch off early in the second half after a collision with Dan Du Plessis.
Libbok added another penalty before wing Angelo Davids scored a try for the 27-7 lead.
The game started to get away from the Bulls as Stormers went in for a third try when the ball went through hands and Ruhan Nel’s pass took out the last Bulls defender and allowed Davids an easy run to the line.
But the Bulls would not lie down and Papier picked the ball up off the back of maul, rounded a would-be tackler and touched down with Smith converting.
Libbok added another two penalties before Bismarck du Plessis went over for a consolation try with the clock in the red.
Man of the match: For the Bulls, Kurt-Lee Arensde showed his class. Damian Willemse was incredible for the Stormers, while Hershell Jantjies was also vital during his team’s win. Dan Du Plessis also had a great game for the Stormers, while Steven Kitshoff and Deon Fourie deserve a mention. However flyhalf Manie Libbok gets our nod for the award. His kicking was astute and he landed six out of six from the tee and his running with the ball in hand caused havoc for the visitors.
The scorers:
For Stormers:
Tries: Dayimani, Zas, Davids
Cons: Libbok 3
Pens: Libbok 4
For Bulls:
Tries: Brink, Papier, B. Du Plessis
Cons: Goosen, Smith 2
Yellow card: Cyle Brink (Bulls, 27 – tackling opponent without the ball)
Teams:
Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain).
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Gary Porter, 20 Ben-Jason Dixon, 21 Willie Engelbrecht, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
Bulls: 15 Johan Goosen, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse , 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 David Kriel, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje (captain), 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Lionel Mapoe, 23 Sibongile Novuka.
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: AJ Jacobs (South Africa), Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
*Photo credit: @Stormers
