DHL Stormers Flashback: Zas-tastic triumph

Leolin Zas is an elite finisher who showcased his talent as the DHL Stormers beat Ospreys by four tries to one at the DHL Stadium during a victorious 2021/22 Vodacom United Rugby Championship season.

Zas was at the heart of the DHL Stormers team that won the inaugural Vodacom URC title, before an ankle injury ruled him out of the showpiece match against the Vodacom Bulls in Cape Town.

He scored 11 tries over the course of the regular season to end the campaign at the top of the charts, and was one of five players from the DHL Stormers included in the league’s Dream Team.

The DHL Stormers’ attacking prowess proved too hot for Ospreys to handle and their ability to score on the counter proved decisive. From the outset, the home side asserted their dominance, and Paul de Wet ignited the scoring frenzy, capitalising on Manie Libbok’s elusive run to cross the whitewash.

But the DHL Stormers weren’t content with a single strike; their hunger for points knew no bounds. Lock Adre Smith’s try, engineered by a mesmerising sequence of offloads, further solidified their grip on the game, propelling them to a 14-3 lead.

The electric atmosphere at the DHL Stadium fueled the DHL Stormers’ attacking prowess, with Zas emerging as the hero of the hour. Known for his flair and lightning pace, the left winger brushed off defenders with ease for his first of two tries in the match to extend the hosts’ advantage.

As the half-time whistle beckoned, the DHL Stormers continued to dazzle, with Libbok’s precision boot adding three more points to their tally. The Welsh visitors, stunned by the relentless assault, struggled to contain the home team’s onslaught.

The second half witnessed a tactical shift, with both sides vying for supremacy in the battle for possession and territory. Yet, true to form, it was the DHL Stormers’ lethal counter-attacking that proved decisive once more. Seabelo Senatla’s blistering run paved the way for Zas’ second try, securing the coveted bonus point and sending the crowd into raptures.

However, a temporary setback ensued as Zas received a yellow card but despite the spirited effort from Welsh visitors, it was the DHL Stormers who triumphed 29-13, their victory a testament to the flair of the SA Shield winners under Director of Rugby, John Dobson.