Herschel Jantjies. (Photo by Michael Sheehan/Gallo Images)
Cape Town, Stellenbosch or Gqeberha, it just doesn’t matter where the Stormers meet their URC home games because the result will invariably be the same: they win.
The Capetonians came to the top of the South African shield on Saturday afternoon following a 34-26 victory over the Dragons as franchise rugby made a glorious return to Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, the first outing since the Southern Kings hosted Connacht in the PRO14 almost three years ago.
It’s the Stormers’ 14th straight home win.
In a development that will please John Dobson, his rotation for this game, particularly as the Stormers make their European Champion Clubs’ Cup debut against Clermont in France next week, has generally worked well despite coming under pressure. during significant periods of the game. second verse.
With the return of Manie Libbok, after insisting he wanted to play despite only returning earlier in the week for the Springboks, dictating things with another composed and varied performance, the hosts secured maximum points from the 35th minute on. one run to 28. -0 lead.
It was moving things from the defending champions, who not only dominated up front and in the scrum, but also showed their immense confidence when it comes to keeping the ball in hand.
The most vivid expression of that desire came from Ruhan Nel, back at outside center after an injury break, in the 22nd minute.
Young flanker Tristan Leyds had done brilliantly to secure a one-handed aerial ball while almost seamlessly dislodging possession.
Libbok’s beautiful floating pass to Clayton Blommetjies proved the impetus for the move, but it was Hacjivah Dayimani’s delightful pop pass to Nel that allowed Leolin Zas to make the key run on the left touchline.
Blommetjies was on hand to return the ball upfield before making his touchdown pass to Nel.
Quick, decisive: it was a feast for the eyes.
However, the Stormers had shown that they can be aggressive and powerful as well, their previous first two attempts coming off of efficient close-range mauls.
By the time Libbok got past three flailing defenders untouched for a spectacular solo try, the Welsh visitors seemed done.
But as a sign of things to come, they left at halftime with the consolation of a Jordan Williams interception attempt.
That blossomed into a proper struggling second half as the Stormers lost their form and initiative.
Center JJ Hanrahan’s scoring was the highlight of a 40-minute stretch in which the Dragons scored 21 points, an excellent baseline move that featured a sublime offload from replacement Lewis Jones.
However, given the tests that await the Stormers (and their counterparts) over the next six weeks, all is well if it ends well with a win like this.
Point scorers:
Storms – 34 (28)
Attempts: Junior Pokomela, Joseph Dweba, Ruhan Nel, Manie Libbok
Conversions: Libbok (3), Clayton Blommetjies
Penalties: Libbok (2)
Dragons – 26 (7)
Attempts: Jordan Williams, Aki Seiuli, JJ Hanrahan, Josh Reynolds
Conversions: Will Reed (2), Hanrahan
