The DHL Stormers wrapped up their pre-season preparations with a hard-fought practice match against the Vodacom Bulls in Paarl on Friday.
Both teams brought extended squads to Faure Street Stadium for a work-out in front of a lively crowd, just two weeks out from the start of the 26/27 season.
The DHL Stormers made the early running, and it did not take long before they had the first try, with fullback Dylan Miller take a well-timed pass from Jurie Matthee to burst through the defensive line and score.
The visitors responded with a maul try in the corner before another sublime piece of backline play saw the DHL Stormers go back in front.
Wandisile Simelane dropped a defender and got it away to Markus Muller, who was able to release wing Lleyton Davids. The speedster first went inside before turning on the pace and running around his outside number Thaakir Abrahams, to the delight of the crowd in the grandstand.
The Vodacom Bulls forwards engineered a second try to level matters once again, and it would be the Pretoria side that took a 17-12 advantage into the half-time break as Abrahams got on the end of a cross-kick from Willie le Roux to score in the corner.
The DHL Stormers squad made a strong start to the second half, with their scrum imperious as the front row of Olly Reid, Vernon Paulo and Neethling Fouche made their presence felt.
Miller got over for his second try, with Muller again giving the scoring pass, and Matthee added the touchline conversion to put his team back in front at 19-17.
The seesaw battle continued as both teams rung the changes, with as many players on the replacement benches as on the field. The Vodacom Bulls scored against the run of play as a charge-down of a Yaqeen Ahmed chip kick saw them run in a try from their own 22.
The DHL Stormers were back in front in the 69th minute, with a penalty try given following a dominant maul which was brought down illegally.
However, the Vodacom Bulls came up with two late tries to finish ahead 38-26. While the focus for both teams was ensuring they are well-prepared for the 26/27 season, rather than the final score.
The scorers:
For DHL Stormers:
Tries: Miller 2, Davids, penalty try
Forwards: Luan Botha, Hacjivah Dayimani, Dylan de Leeuw, Connor Evans, Neethling Fouche, Herman Lubbe, Louw Nel, Vernon Matongo, Riley Norton, Xola Nyali, Vernon Paulo, Gary Porter, Olly Reid, Sazi Sandi, Andre-Hugo Venter, Lukhanyo Vokozela.
Backs: Yaqeen Ahmed, Gino Cupido, Lleyton Davids, Mfundo Ndhlovu, Jurie Matthee, JC Mars, Dylan Miller, Markus Muller, Ezekiel Ngobeni, Wandisile Simelane, Kyle Smith, Andre Warner.
