Slick Stormers storm back to beat Lions

The Stormers beat the Lions 23-17 to open their Super Rugby Unlocked campaign with a win at Newlands, Cape Town.

The Stormers overcame a seven-point deficit to score 20 unanswered points as the Cape team downed the Lions.

The teams shared four tries in a tightly contested South African derby, which saw the home side dominate the second half after the visitors were the better team in the first.

Elton Jantjies scored a late second-half try, converted two scores, and also added a penalty, to keep the Lions in the game after a 20-point scoring spree by the Stormers.

It was, however, too little, too late as the hosts held on for the win. The Lions will be left licking their wounds after a second successive Super Rugby Unlocked defeat in their two games.

Damian Willemse kicked three penalties and two conversions as John Dobson’s side got themselves back into the contest after tries by Rabz Maxwane’s try and Jantjies’ boot left them chasing the game.

Lions dominate the first half and could have had a bigger lead going into the break.

The Lions took a four-point 10-6 lead into halftime after Maxwane’s try and a conversion and penalty by Elton Jantjies.

Jantjies and Willemse kicked a penalty apiece before the Lions struck in the first quarter.

Maxwane finished off a sublime Lions’ attack in the 11th-minute.

Super Rugby Unlocked Round 2: Stormers versus Lions at Newlands, Cape Town

Some quick hands from Elton Jantjies to Maxwane, who sent Jaco Kriel flying down the left-wing, kick-started the attack.

Kriel drew the cover defender before plying an inside pass to the supporting Jantjies. The flyhalf drew his man and sent Maxwane in for the score.

Willemse kicked two penalties to keep John Dobson’s team in the game.

However, had a TMO call not ruled out Burger Odendaal’s try late in the half, the home team might have trailed by more.

Stormers take control in the second stanza as they stun the Lions with 17 points in as many minutes.

Willemse kicked his third penalty before Pretorius’ opportunism saw the Stormers go 16-10 ahead after 52 minutes.

The flyhalf converted the inside centre’s try to open up a six-point advantage.

A counter-attack by the hosts almost led to another score, but poor handling led to a turnover and Lions scrum.

Steven Kitshoff won the first scrum-penalty of the game, Scarra Ntubeni took the quick-tap when a shot at goal might have sufficed.

However, it proved inspiring as the ball was shifted to Du Plessis, who wriggled out of a soft tackle to score.

Willemse added the extras to increase the home team’s lead to 13 with 15 minutes remaining.

Lions hit back with a late Elton Jantjies goal to set up a nervy final few minutes.

Odendaal, who was earlier denied a score, set up Jantjies for his 14th Super Rugby try to give the visitors a chance with eight minutes remaining.

The flyhalf converted his try to make it a six-point game.

Ivan Rooyen’s men kept coming, but they could not find the gaps in the blue wall.

A nervy finish ensued as the Lions won a penalty and kicked to the corner to mount a final attack.

The Joberg side attacked as the clock ticked down before a mistake in contact – after the hooter sounded – saw the Cape team hold on for an opening Super Rugby.

Final Score: Stormers 23 (6) Lions 17 (10)

Scorers

Stormers
Tries – Pretorius, D. du Plessis
Pen – Willemse (3)
Con – Willemse (2)
Drop –
Cards –

Lions
Tries – Maxwane, E. Jantjies
Pen – E. Jantjies
Con – E. Jantjies (2)
Drop –
Cards –

Match Officials
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant Ref 1: Aimee Barrett-Theron
Assistant Ref 2: Egon Seconds
TMO: Joey Klaaste-Salmans

Teams

Stormers

15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Dan du Plessis, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Ernst van Rhyn, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff

Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Chris van Zyl, 20 Nama Xaba, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Michal Haznar, 23 Tim Swiel

Lions

15 EW Viljoen, 14 Jamba Ulengo, 13 Burger Odendaal, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Rabz Maxwane, 10 Elton Jantjies (captain), 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Len Massyn, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Sti Sithole

Replacements: 16 Jan-Henning Campher, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 20 MJ Pelser, 21 Hacjivah Dayimani, 22 Ross Cronje, 23 Gianni Lombard