DHL Stormers thunder past Bulls on Super Hero Sunday
The DHL Stormers scored five tries in a thrilling 33-28 win against the Vodacom Bulls in their pre-season clash at Cape Town Stadium on Super Hero Sunday.
The Faithful turned up in their numbers and they were rewarded with a spectacle of try-scoring as both teams put on a worthy display.
Take the quiz on Sikhumbuzo Notshe
The DHL Stormers made an encouraging start and dominated territory and possession early on, but the opening try came from defence as a big hit shook the ball loose for Scarra Ntubeni to pounce on. The hooker raced away before finding flyer Seabelo Senatla, who finished with ease.
The Faithful were on their feet again soon afterwards as flank Jaco Coetzee broke free and surged into the 22 where he gave the ball to scrumhalf Jano Vermaak who was brought down. Flyhalf Josh Stander hit the ball at pace on a great angle to go over for the second try.
The score went out to 21-0 when wing SP Marais intercepted and raced away, skipping out of the last tackle just short of the tryline and then thumping the conversion over as well.
The Vodacom Bulls responded with tries from flyhalf Handre Pollard and Ivan van Zyl to bring themselves within seven points.
The DHL Stormers made it four tries in the first half when No.8 Juarno Augustus charged down and collected to score and although the Vodacom Bulls had the final say in the first half with a try from fullback Warrick Gelant, the DHL Stormers took a 26-21 advantage into the break.
The Vodacom Bulls took the lead for the first time in the game just after half-time with a try from close range from flank Paul Schoeman which was converted by replacement Manie Libbok to put them 28-26 ahead.
Both teams were impressive on defence in the second half, scrambling and holding out the waves of attacks.
The DHL Stormers put together a period of sustained pressure and they eventually found a way through as lock Chris van Zyl went over with just five minutes left to seal the 33-28 win.
The scorers:
For DHL Stormers:
Tries: Senatla, Stander, Marais, Augustus, Van Zyl
Cons: Marais 3, Willemse
For Vodacom Bulls:
Tries: Pollard, Van Zyl, Gelant, Schoeman
Cons: Pollard 3, Libbok
DHL Stormers: 15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 SP Marais, 10 Joshua Stander, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Cobus Wiese, 6 Jaco Coetzee, 5 Chris van Zyl (captain), 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Michael Kumbirai, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Ali Vermaak.
Replacements: 16 Chad Solomon, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Ernst van Rhyn, 20 JD Schickerling, 21 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 22 Kobus van Dyk, 23 Herschel Jantjies, 24 Damian Willemse, 25 Craig Barry, 26 Dan du Plessis.
Vodacom Bulls: Warrick Gelant, Jade Stighling, Jesse Kriel, Burger Odendaal, Duncan Matthews, Handré Pollard, Ivan van Zyl, Duane Vermeulen, Jannes Kirsten, Paul Schoeman, Lood de Jager (captain), Eli Snyman, Trevor Nyakane, Schalk Brits, Lizo Gqoboka.
Replacements: Corniel Els, Simphiwe Matanzina, Dayan van der Westhuizen, Ruan Nortje, Ruan Steenkamp, Thembelani Bholi, Embrose Papier, Manie Libbok, Dylan Sage, Johnny Kotze, Divan Rossouw.
