DHL Stormers too strong for Cheetahs
The DHL Stormers returned to winning ways with a 31-24 victory against the Toyota Cheetahs at DHL Newlands on Saturday.
The home team outscored the Free State side by three tries to two to clinch a valuable victory ahead of the June international break.
The opening exchanges were very tense as both teams came within inches of scoring the opening try, but instead the two flyhalves exchanged penalties to leave it at 3-3 after the first 10 minutes.
The next 10 minutes saw much the same as both flyhalves were on target with penalties to make it 6-6 after 20 minutes.
That same pattern followed, as first Fred Zeilinga and then Jean-Luc du Plessis slotted penalties to leave it deadlocked at 9-9 after 30 minutes.
After an extended period of attacking pressure in the Toyota Cheetahs 22, the ball was eventually worked wide to outside centre Daniel du Plessis who got over for a try on his DHL Stormers debut to put the home side 14-9 ahead at the half-time break.
The DHL Stormers were first to strike in the second half as an intercept try from speedster Leolin Zas gave them a 21-9 cushion.
The Cheetahs responded with their first try from No.8 Paul Schoeman to cut the deficit to 21-14 with 30 minutes left to play.
The DHL Stormers camped in the opposition 22 and were next to score when Du Plessis slotted his fourth penalty after to make it 24-14.
The visitors scored against the run of play when a counter-attack saw wing Sergeal Petersen go over in the corner, and the conversion from Zelinga brought them right back into the game at 24-21.
However, the DHL Stormers hit back in fine style when Sikhumbuzo Notshe found himself in some space and kicked ahead for Kobus van Wyk who outstripped the defence to score a memorable try between the poles.
The Cheetahs responded with a penalty from replacement flyhalf Niel Marais which secured the losing bonus point, but they were not able to prevent the DHL Stormers from picking up their seventh win of the Vodacom Super Rugby season.
The scorers:
For DHL Stormers:
Tries: D Du Plessis, Zas, Van Wyk
Cons: JL Du Plessis 2
Pens: JL Du Plessis 4
For Toyota Cheetahs:
Tries: Schoeman, Petersen
Con: Zelinga
Pens: Zeilinga 3, Marais
Teams:
DHL Stormers: 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Daniel du Plessis, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Nizaam Carr, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe (captain), 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Oli Kebble.
Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Alistair Vermaak, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 JD Schickerling, 20 Rynhardt Elstadt, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Brandon Thomson, 23 Johnny Kotze.
Toyota Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Francois Venter (captain), 12 Michael van der Spuy, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Paul Schoeman, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Uzair Cassiem, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Lodewyk de Jager, 3 Maks van Dyk, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Charles Marais.
Replacements: 16 Jacques du Toit, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Luan de Bruin, 19 Armandt Koster, 20 Niell Jordaan, 21 Shaun Venter, 22 Niel Marais, 23 Nico Lee.
Referee: Glen Jackson
