DHL Stormers start strong in Harare
The DHL Stormers outscored the Toyota Cheetahs by seven tries to one to secure a 43-7 victory in their first warm-up game of the season in Harare on Saturday.
The match formed part of the Old Mutual Super Rugby Weekend at the National Sports Stadium in Harare, with the Vodacom Bulls beating the Emirates Lions 38-17 earlier in the day.
The DHL Stormers opened the scoring early on, as centre Damian de Allende crossed for the first try which was converted by flyhalf Kurt Coleman.
The second try came from a strong run from flank Jaco Coetzee, and it was not long before they held a commanding 21-0 lead as replacement scrumhalf Godlen Masimla got over for a third try, with Coleman adding the extras on both occasions.
However, the DHL Stormers were struck a blow when Masimla was shown a yellow card for a deliberate infringement and the Toyota Cheetahs had the final say in the first half with a converted try reducing the DHL Stormers’ half-time lead to 21-7.
The second half saw DHL Stormers Head Coach Robbie Fleck make a number of changes, but that would have no impact on their dominance as they ran in a further four tries.
Siya Kolisi, Khanyo Ngcukana, Masimla and Justin Phillips all crossed the whitewash to put the seal on a comprehensive performance in the end which will give the squad a lot of confidence heading into their upcoming warm-up matches against SWD in George on February 4 and the Emirates Lions at DHL Newlands on February 11.
The scorers:
For DHL Stormers:
Tries: De Allende, Coetzee, Masimla 2, Kolisi, Ngcukana, Phillips
Cons: Coleman 3, Du Preez
DHL Stormers squad: Juarno Augustus, Nizaam Carr, Jaco Coetzee, Kurt Coleman, Damian de Allende, Juan de Jongh, Dan du Plessis, Jean-Luc du Plessis, Rob du Preez, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Dewaldt Duvenage, Rynhardt Elstadt, Eben Etzebeth, JC Janse van Rensberg, Siya Kolisi, Cheslin Kolbe, Dillyn Leyds, Wilco Louw, Frans Malherbe, SP Marais, Godlen Masimla, Bongi Mbonambi, Khanyo Ngcukana, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Caylib Oosthuizen, Justin Phillips, Ramone Samuels, JD Shickerling, Chad Solomon, Brandon Thomson, Frans van Wyk, Chris van Zyl, Jano Vermaak, Cobus Wiese, Damian Willemse.
Toyota Cheetahs: 15 Ryno Eksteen, 14 Ryno Benjamin, 13 Nico Lee, 12 Michael van der Spuy, 11 Lihleli Xoli, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 JP Smith, 8 Henco Venter, 7 Lihleli Xoli, 6 Boom Prinsloo, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Justin Basson, 3 Luan de Bruin, 2 Elandré Huggett, 1 Danie Mienie.
Replacements: 16 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 17 Charles Marais, 18 Erich de Jager, 19 Dennis Visser, 20 Francois Uys, 21 Jasper Wiese, 22 Oupa Mohoje, 23 Steven Meiring, 24 Tian Meyer, 25 Clinton Swart, 26 Ali Mgijima, 27 Clayton Blommetjies, 28 Raymond Rhule, 29 Jacques du Toit, 30 Johan Coetzee, 31 Zee Mkhabela.
