The DHL Stormers XXIII scored five tries to claim a full five points from their Carling Currie Cup coastal derby against the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV at DHL Stadium on Saturday.
In an entertaining game played in front of an enthusiastic crowd of over 14 000, the home side bounced back from last week’s defeat in Wellington with a 36-28 win.
The visitors made a fast start, with winger Lyle Matthews going over for an early try. The DHL Stormers XXIII hit back with some forward power and hooker Vernon Paulo crashed over from close range to level things up.
The hosts took the lead when No.8 Wandile Mlaba finished another period of dominance in the 22, but the Durban side went back on level terms with a try from scrumhalf Ross Braude.
However, it was the DHL Stormers XXIII that had the advantage at half-time as outside centre Markus Muller scored on debut after taking a great offload from his centre partner Josh Boulle.
That made it 19-14 at the break, with the DHL Stormers XXIII showing great determination on defence to hold off an onslaught from the visitors just before half-time.
The home side stretched that lead to eight points with a penalty from flyhalf Kyle Smith early in the second half, but the Durban side responded with a try from replacement prop Rambo Kubheka to bring it back to a one-point game at 22-21.
The DHL Stormers XXIII came up with two tries as first Josh Boulle crashed through for the bonus point before replacement flank Xola Nyali scored from a maul.
That makes it two wins from three games this season, with another home game coming up against the Toyota Cheetahs at Athlone Stadium on Sunday.
The scorers:
For DHL Stormers XXIII:
Tries: Paulo, Mlaba, Muller, Boulle, Nyali
Cons: Smith 5
Pen: Smith
For Hollywoodbets Sharks XV:
Tries: Matthews, Braude, Kubheka, Van Wyk
Cons: Swiel 4
DHL Stormers XXIII: 15 Dylan Miller, 14 Mfundo Ndhlovu, 13 Markus Muller, 12 Josh Boulle, 11 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 10 Kyle Smith, 9 Stefan Ungerer (captain), 8 Wandile Mlaba, 7 Louw Nel, 6 Keke Morabe, 5 Gary Porter, 4 Tom Barnard, 3 Herman Lubbe, 2 Vernon Paulo, 1 Hencus van Wyk.
Replacements: 16 Altus Rabe, 17 Mhleli Khuzwayo, 18 Danie Kruger, 19 Gerbrandt Grobler, 20 Xola Nyali, 21 Ezekiel Ngobeni, 22 Gino Cupido, 23 Kian Davis.
