Stormers' home run comes to an end
URC REPORT: The Stormers’ incredible home record came to an abrupt end with a 24-26 defeat to Munster on Saturday at the Cape Town Stadium.
The defeat means the Stormers are third on the United Rugby Championship log, three points behind second-placed Ulster.
*To recap all the action CLICK HERE!!!
The win moves Munster to within five points of fourth-placed Glasgow ahead of their final game away to the Sharks.
Munster’s fast start was rewarded within two minutes when Diarmuid Barron broke off the back of a maul.
Referee Craig Evans initially said no try but then changed his mind as he noticed Barron had grounded the ball as he blew the whistle.
Jack Crowley added the conversion and there were more problems for Stormers when wing Seabelo Senatla was sent to the sidelines after 22 minutes.
Evans gave Senalta a yellow card for a high tackle on Munster captain Peter O’Mahony after he was asked to review the incident by the Television Match Official.
Munster immediately took advantage of their extra man as Barron surged off a maul again to charge over.
Senatla’s absence, however, stirred Stormers into action and second-row forward Ruben van Heerden freed Frans Malherbe for the prop to claim his first URC try.
The clock was in the red at the end of the first half when parity was restored on the scoreboard.
Ruhan Nel barged over from Dan du Plessis’ pass and Manie Libbok added a simple conversion.
Stormers started the second half as they had ended the first, on top with Libbok’s penalty attempt striking an upright and Suleiman Hartzenberg denied by the last-ditch defence.
But Munster kept their line intact and took the lead after 57 minutes as Mike Haley released Daly and the wing had the strength to shake off Senatla in the corner.
Replacement Ben Healy landed a wonderful touchline kick for a 19-12 lead.
Stormers upped the tempo and skipper Steven Kitshoff profited from a huge forward drive, although Libbok failed to tie the scores as his resulting kick fell wide.
Munster came back again and Gavin Coombes sneaked under a pile of bodies to secure a try bonus point.
Healy added the extras to ensure Stormers had to score twice for victory, and their hopes drifted away when Libbok missed a penalty.
Nel’s converted try from the final play ensured Stormers would leave with two bonus points.
Man of the match: Springbok RG Snyman was a standout performer for the Munster. The lock made the most carries in his team and the most offloads. Certainly a great performance from teh lock
The scorers:
For Stormers:
Tries: Malherbe, Nel 2, Kitshoff
Cons: Libbok 2
For Munster:
Tries: Barron 2, Daly, Coombes
Con: Crowley, Healy 2
Yellow card: Seabelo Senatla (Stormers, 21 – high tackle)
Teams:
Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Willie Engelbrecht, 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 Ernst van Rhyn, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Evan Roos, 22 Herschel Jantjies, 23 Clayton Blommetjies.
Munster: 15 Mike Haley, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Antoine Frisch, 12 Malakai Fekitoa, 11 Shane Daly, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Gavin Coombes, 7 Alex Kendellen, 6 Peter O’Mahony (captain), 5 RG Snyman, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Stephen Archer, 2 Diarmuid Barron, 1 Jeremy Loughman
Replacements: 16 Scott Buckley, 17 Josh Wycherley, 18 Keynan Knox, 19 Fineen Wycherley, 20 Jack O’Donoghue, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Ben Healy, 23 Keith Earls
Referee: Craig Evans (Wales)
Assistant referees: AJ Jacobs (South Africa), Griffin Colby (South Africa)
TMO: Jon Mason (Wales)
