Young Stormers stars inspire bonus-point win over Sharks in Cape Town

The Stormers XXIII revived their Currie Cup campaign with a hard-fought 36-28 bonus-point victory over the Sharks at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday afternoon, in a match that repeatedly swung between the two sides before the hosts pulled clear in the final quarter.

The Sharks made the stronger start and led after only four minutes. Lyle Matthews slipped through a well-timed angle from a short pass to breach the Stormers defence, with Tim Swiel converting for a 7-0 advantage.

The Stormers responded impressively from the restart, with Markus Muller and Kyle Smith prominent in a flowing attack. After the Sharks conceded a penalty, the home side established a lineout and worked through several phases before Vernon Paulo forced his way over for a converted try to level the scores.

Handling errors affected both teams during an open first half, but the Stormers continued to attack with ambition. Their use of short pop passes around the ruck created space for Wandile Mlaba, who crashed over in the 21st minute. Smith added the conversion to put the hosts ahead for the first time at 14-7.

The Sharks drew level in the 32nd minute through an excellent passage of play. Luan Giliomee broke through the Stormers midfield and released Ross Braude on his inside, allowing the scrum-half to score a converted try.

The Stormers regained the lead almost immediately. Josh Boulle made a half-break before finding Muller on his outside, and the young centre showed impressive pace to outrun the Sharks defence. The try was not converted, leaving the hosts 19-14 ahead at half-time.

The Sharks had a late chance before the interval, but the Stormers defence held firm. Earlier, the visitors had threatened through a cross-kick intended for Matthews, but the kick was overhit, while the scrums remained unpredictable.

Smith extended the Stormers’ lead with a penalty three minutes into the second half, making it 22-14. The Sharks then increased the pressure, with Christie Grobbelaar making ground after running back a kick. Their attack eventually produced a reward in the 54th minute when Junior Bok Rambo Kubheka powered over from close range. The conversion reduced the deficit to one point.

A try by replacement Hanu Pieterse was ruled out by the TMO for a knock-on in the build-up, while the Stormers also survived pressure close to their own line after winning a crucial scrum penalty.

The home side responded strongly. Following a Sharks infringement, the Stormers set up an attacking lineout and built through a maul and several pick-and-goes. When the Sharks defence finally held, the ball was moved wide and Boulle broke through to score the bonus-point try in the 64th minute. Smith converted to make it 29-21.

The Stormers added another try soon afterwards. This time the maul was not stopped, allowing Xola Nyali to cross from an attacking lineout. Smith’s conversion put the hosts 36-21 ahead with 10 minutes remaining.

The Sharks refused to surrender and Liam van Wyk scored from a maul in the 73rd minute, with Luan Giliomee converting to bring the score back to 36-28. The visitors had an attacking maul of their own and needed a quick score to give themselves a chance, but the Stormers retained possession in the closing stages and defended their advantage.

More than 14,000 spectators attended the Currie Cup fixture. The Stormers also chose a lineout rather than kicking at goal after a 78th-minute penalty when the Sharks were penalised for not rolling away.

Stormers 36 (19) Tries: Vernon Paulo, Wandile Mlaba, Markus Muller, Josh Boulle, Xola Nyali. Conversions: Kyle Smith (four). Penalty: Kyle Smith.

Sharks 28 (14) Tries: Lyle Matthews, Ross Braude, Rambo Kubheka, Liam van Wyk. Conversions: Tim Swiel (three), Luan Giliomee.

The Stormers started with Dylan Miller, Suleiman Hartzenberg, Markus Muller, Josh Boulle, Mfundo Ndhlovu, Kyle Smith, Stefan Ungerer (captain), Wandile Mlaba, Louw Nel, Keke Morabe, Gary Porter, Tom Barnard, Herman Lubbe, Vernon Paulo and Hencus van Wyk. Their replacements were Altus Rabie, Mhleli Khuzwayo, Danie Kruger, Gerbrandt Grobler, Xola Nyali, Ezekiel Ngobeni, Gino Cupido and Kian Davis.

The Sharks XV comprised Luan Giliomee, Christie Grobbelaar, Marnus Potgieter, Janco Purchase, Lyle Matthews, Tim Swiel, Ross Braude, Thomas Dyer (captain), Danio Botha, Luaan Olivier, Deon Slabbert, Johan Momsen, Simphiwe Ngobese, Bryce Calvert and Cameron Dawson. Their replacements were Liam van Wyk, Rambo Kubheka, Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, Hanu Pieterse, Jean-Henri Smit, Juan Loots, Albie Bester and Khuthi Rasivhaga.