DHL Stormers remain unbeaten and top the overall log

The DHLStormers, after a great opening period, relied heavily on their solid defence, making 121 tackles in the game to keep a spirited Lions outfit at bay.

The Stormers lead inside the opening two minutes with a try by Tiaan Liebenberg followed shortly afterwards by a chip and chase 50th Super Try from Bryan Habana.

The Lions then staged a spirited fight back and attacked relentlessly for the remainder of the match. The DHL Stormers defence held firm and the Stormers pocketed the away points, but not before Andries Coetzee struck a drop-goal on fulltime to secure the home side a losing bonus point.

Next up a massive local derby clash against the Vodacom Bulls at DHL Newlands.

Points

MTN Lions –Try: Tian Meyer. Conversion: Butch James. Penalties: Butch James (3). Drop Goal Andries Coetzee

DHL Stormers – Try: Tiaan Liebenberg, Bryan Habana. Conversion: Joe Pietersen. Penalties: Joe Pietersen(4)

Teams:

Lions: 15 James Kamana, 14 Deon van Rensburg, 13 Jaco Taute, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Andries Coetzee, 10 Butch James, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Joshua Strauss (captain), 6 Derick Minnie, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Marius Coetzer, 3 Patric Cilliers, 2 Callie Visagie, 1 Caylib Oosthuizen.

Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Jacobie Adriaanse, 18 Stephan Greeff, 19 Cobus Grobbelaar, 20 Ross Cronje, 21 Michael Killian, 22 Ruan Combrinck.

DHL Stormers: 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Jean De Villiers (captain), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Nick Koster, 7 Duane Vermeulen, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Steven Kitshoff.

Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Frans Malherbe, 18 De Kock Steenkamp, 19 Nizaam Carr, 20 Louis Schreuder, 21 Gary van Aswegen, 22 Gerhard van den Heever.

Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)

Assistant referees: Stuart Berry (South Africa), Christie du Preez (South Africa)

TMO: Gerrie Coetzee (South Africa)