The Sharks faced yet another defeat at Cape Town Stadium as the Stormers emerged victorious in a thrilling URC clash. The Stormers secured a bonus point 24-20 win over the Sharks, solidifying their position on the South African shield of the United Rugby Championship.
The match was a nail-biter, with the lead changing hands between the two coastal sides throughout the evening. Both teams struggled with handling errors and disallowed tries, adding to the tension on the field. Despite the Sharks holding a 10-5 lead at halftime, the Stormers fought back to claim the win and move up to eighth place on the overall URC log.
The Sharks, on the other hand, are still in fifth place and have not won at Cape Town Stadium since May 1, 2021. The Stormers’ dominance at home was evident as they controlled 56% of possession and made 382 meters compared to the Sharks’ 217 meters.
The victory was a sweet revenge for the Stormers, who had previously lost to the Sharks in their seventh-round URC match at Kings Park Stadium. Man of the match, Stormers scrumhalf Paul de Wet, acknowledged the tough battle and highlighted the importance of minimizing handling errors on the field.
Stormers captain Deon Fourie expressed satisfaction with the win despite the close margin, emphasizing the need to address individual errors and maintain momentum in future games. The milestone of fullback Warrick Gelant’s 50th cap for the Stormers was celebrated by the home crowd, although the game was marred by an injury to Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who suffered a dislocated shoulder.
The Sharks kept the Stormers on their toes throughout the match, with Jordan Hendrikse opening the scoring with a penalty kick. Seabelo Senatla responded with a try for the Stormers, but missed conversions and disallowed tries added to the drama on the field. The Sharks missed crucial opportunities to score points, allowing the Stormers to capitalize on their mistakes and secure the win.
Despite a disallowed try and a tense battle on the field, the Stormers showed resilience in their attack. Captain Deon Fourie scored a crucial try, followed by a try and conversion from Manie Libbok to put the Stormers ahead. The Sharks fought back, but a late penalty and a final try from the Stormers sealed the victory and earned them a bonus point.
Overall, the Stormers’ indomitable spirit and home advantage proved to be the deciding factors in their victory over the Sharks. The match was a testament to the competitive nature of the URC and showcased the talent and determination of both teams on the field.
