The DHL Stormers went down 36-24 in their Vodacom URC derby against the Hollywoodbets Sharks in Durban on Saturday.
In a match played in high humidity, which saw both teams kick as much as possible, the Kwa-Zulu Natal side finished strong to take the win.
The DHL Stormers made a fast start as they won a penalty at the kick-off and a quick tap from Cobus Reinach saw the scrumhalf go over for the opener.
The home side hit back with a try from scrumhalf Grant Williams after Paul de Villiers had been shown a yellow card for repeated infringements.
The visitors took the advantage back briefly through a penalty from Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, before the lead changed hands again, with centre Ethan Hooker diving over a ruck to score the second try for the Durban side.
However, the DHL Stormers dug deep and responded with three long-range penalties from Feinberg-Mngomezulu, which saw them take a slender 17-14 lead into the break.
The DHL Stormers were first to score in the second half as De Villiers went over after running a great angle in the 22.
However, the Durban side hit back with tries from skipper Andre Esterhuizen and wing Jaco Williams to retake the lead at 28-24 heading into the last 30 minutes.
Jordan Hendrikse kicked a penalty and Williams scored again near the end to seal the win.
The scorers:
For DHL Stormers:
Tries: Reinach, De Villiers
Con: Feinberg-Mngomezulu
Pens: Feinberg-Mngomezulu 4
For Hollywoodbets Sharks:
Tries: Williams, Hooker, Esterhuizen, Williams 2
Cons: Hendrikse 4
Pen: Hendrikse
DHL Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (captain), 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Adré Smith, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Oli Kebble.
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotzé, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 JD Schickerling, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Stefan Ungerer, 22 Jurie Matthee, 23 Warrick Gelant.
