LIVE: DHL Stormers v Connacht

The DHL Stormers are in Galway where they are up against Connacht for the first time ever in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.

The weather is cloudy and windy, with some rain expected during the match at the Sportsground.

Change to the DHL Stormers line-up today with Dan du Plessis ruled out due to delayed post-concussion syndrome. Damian Willemse moves to inside centre, Sergeal Petersen is at fullback and Angelo Davids starts on the wing, with Cornel Smit coming onto the bench.

DHL Stormers wearing black armbands today in honour of legendary Springbok and Western Province fullback HO de Villiers, who sadly passed away this week.

0 – Action underway in Galway where it is very windy. Manie Libbok charged down early and the ball is lost forward so Connacht have an early scrum.

4 – Turnover by Deon Fourie and the DHL Stormers eventually find touch through Jantjies.

6 – Good defence and Scarra Ntubeni goes for the intercept but loses it forward so Connacht have another scrum.

8 – Scrum goes down and Connacht kick to the corner as they look for a try. Great maul defence stops Connacht in the corner so DHL Stormers have the scrum.

10 – Libbok clears so Connacht come from the 22 line-out. They go into the 22 and it is another crucial turnover from Deon Fourie, great defence from the DHL Stormers.

14 – Great maul from the DHL Stormers this time before Jantjies hoists. Connacht kick long but Libbok puts it straight into touch.

16 – Connacht knock-on so the DHL Stormers have a scrum near halfway, they win a scrum penalty to enter the 22 for the first time in the match.

20 – Another strong maul takes them close and good patience in the 22 is rewarded as fullback Sergeal Petersen goes over for the try to make it 5-0.

23 – Another good maul, but Jantjies loses control and it is hacked away by Connacht.

27 – Connacht on the attack now as they charge into the 22. They are stopped on the line and a few penalties on the goalline means that’s a warning.

30 – The home side bash away for a while and eventually force it over next to the poles to take a slender 7-5 lead.

33 – DHL Stormers have a maul but it’s not coming out so Connacht have a scrum in the 22. They clear it long and Petersen knocks on so Connacht with an attacking scrum.

37 – More good defence from the DHL Stormers as they hold out in the 22 and force another turnover, Ruhan Nel this time.

40 – Some fancy footwork from Sergeal Petersen who bursts into the 22 and it goes to Damian Willemse who slams it over the line for a great try just before half-time. DHL Stormers take a 10-7 lead into the break and will have the wind at their backs in the second half.

42 – Second half underway and Willemse kicks long as they look to pin Connacht in their own half. Petersen spills a grubber so Connacht have an attacking scrum but they put their hands in so the DHL Stormers have a penalty.

44 – Connacht steal a line-out but then knock-on so the DHL Stormers have a scrum this time. Marvin Orie loses it forward this time so Connacht have the scrum.

46 – Connacht given the scrum penalty and kick to the corner. They lose it forward and Libbok picks it up and runs in the try from his own half. That takes the lead out to 17-7.

52 – Connacht on the attack and they think they have scored but the TMO says it was a knock-on so the DHL Stormers have a scrum on their 22.

55 – Petersen kicks long and Connacht run it back well. DHL Stormers under pressure on defence again.

57 – DHL Stormers down to 14 for 10 mins with Sergeal Petersen shown a yellow for a deliberate knock as he shot up on defence. Crucial turnover in the 22 from the resulting maul means we can clear it.

60 – Home side take advantage of the extra man with a try from inside centre Tom Daly which brings us back to a three-point game.

62 – DHL Stormers on the attack again and the grubber from Libbok rolls out in the corner.

65 – DHL Stormers keeping the ball well in the opposition half when down to 14.

67 – Ruhan Nel is called for a high tackle and shown a yellow card as Petersen joins again. DHL Stormers down to 14 again.

72 – Connacht on the attack and it goes wide to Sullivan who looks to have knocked it on but the try is given to give them a two-point lead.

75 – Libbok’s kick goes out on the full so Connacht can attack again.

80 – Full-time in Galway where the DHL Stormers scored three tries but after two yellow cards in the second half went down 19-17. A frustrating result as an away win slips away, but we look forward to our run of six home games now.