The DHL Stormers looked to have secured a place in the Investec Champions Cup quarterfinals, but an extra time call denied them victory as they went down 28-27 against RC Toulon.
Lock Adre Smith looked to have crossed for his second try to clinch the win at the death, but the try was disallowed by the referee due to a lack of evidence.
The home side made a strong start and camped in DHL Stormers territory, with scrumhalf Ben White going over for the opening try.
The visitors got on the scoreboard with a penalty from Jurie Matthee after a strong scrum and they took the lead when lock Smith dived over to finish a period of dominance which saw a number of ball-carriers cross the gainline.
Toulon scored their second try through wing Gael Draen, but the DHL Stormers had the final say in the first half, with Matthee’s second penalty making it a one-point game at half-time as the French side held a 14-13 advantage at the break.
The DHL Stormers absorbed a lot of pressure early in the second half before striking through Evan Roos, who powered his way over from close range.
Toulon hit back with two quick tries, but were then reduced to 14 after a maul was deliberately collapsed just short of the tryline.
The DHL Stormers gave themselves a shot at victory with a try from Imad Khan and looked to have claimed the win, only for the referee to rule that Smith had been held up over the line.
The scorers:
For DHL Stormers:
Tries: Smith, Roos, Khan
Cons: Matthee, Feinberg-Mngomezulu 2
Pens: Matthee 2
For RC Toulon:
Tries: White, Draen, Ferte, Tuicuvu
Cons: Domon 3, Albornoz
DHL Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Damian Willemse, 13 Ruhan Nel (captain), 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Connor Evans, 4 Adré Smith, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Oli Kebble.
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 JD Schickerling, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Imad Khan, 22 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23 Wandisile Simelane.
