The Stormers XXIII are still in the running to make the Currie Cup play-offs after demolishing the Bulls XV 50-26 at Loftus Versfeld in their North-South derby on Friday evening.
A bonus-point victory ensured that the Cape side will go into the final round of the premier domestic rugby tournament with a fighting chance of reaching the knockouts.
However, they still need some results in the final round to go in their favour to ensure they make it to the semi-finals.
Judging by the way they scrummed and ran the Bulls to pieces, they will give themselves a big chance to qualify when they face the Lions next week in the final match of the round-robin stage in Johannesburg.
Despite again struggling with their discipline and conceding momentum-breaking penalties, the visitors controlled most of the possession and territory thanks to their superior set-piece and excellent defensive effort.
The home side started like a house on fire and fought back towards the end when the game was already sealed, but in between, they didn’t provide much resistance to their visitors.
The Stormers led 19-0 in just under 30 minutes of play after the game was still locked at 0-0 in the first 15 minutes. Those three tries laid the platform for the victory, with the visitors absorbing the pressure after kick-off before pulling away.
When winger Joel Leotlela scored an intercept try for the bonus-point after the Bulls exercised some pressure on attack, the game was all but done. Just before half-time, the Cape side went in again to extend their lead at the break to 33-7.
While there was a dip in their form in the second half, especially when the substitutes came on, the home side could not really muster up a fightback. The Stormers did well to score 17 more points and get to the 50 mark after taking their foot off the accelerator, but allowing the Bulls to cross the try line three times will not go down well with their defence coach.
However, the five points were what the Stormers were after, and they bagged them with a brilliant performance. They are now within touching distance of the Pumas heading into the final round, and another victory could see them pass the team from Mbombela.
Points-scorers
Bulls XV 26 (7) – Tries: Siphosethu Mnebelele, Demitre Erasmus, Jon Hobson, Kebotile Maake. Conversions: Keagan Johannes (3).
Stormers XXIII 50 (33) – Tries: Joel Leotlela (2), Markus Muller, Kyle Smith, Herman Lubbe, Vernon Paulo, Eric Basson. Conversions: Smith (6). Penalty: Smith.
* In the earlier game on Friday afternoon, the Griquas booked a home semi-final following a resounding 38-14 win over the Pumas. The defending champions can only be overtaken by the Cheetahs on the official log, but ensured with the victory that Kimberley will be hosting a knockout match.
They put five tries past the home side in a physical contest, but the Pumas just had no answer for what Griquas brought to the contest.
