Stormers fightback floors Sharks
12/28/2024 12:11 PM
Manie Libbok converted a late Jean-Luc du Plessis try as the DHL Stormers overcame a first-half deficit to beat the Sharks in a thrilling derby clash in Cape Town on Saturday.
Trailing 10-5 at half time, the Stormers overturned the Sharks' advantage through two second-half tries – the second scored with less than three minutes to go when replacement Du Plessis crashed over from close range, and flyhalf Libbok added the finishing touches to a 24-20 win at a sold-out Cape Town Stadium in round 9 of the Vodacom URC.
Both teams had to make late changes before kick-off. Stormers hooker Joseph Dweba was ruled out with a hamstring niggle, so Andre-Hugo Venter started and JJ Kotze came onto the bench, while prop Hanro Jacobs replaced two-time World Cup winner Trevor Nyakane among the Sharks replacements.
A first-half try from right winger Yaw Penxe and the boot of flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse steered the visitors in front, but an excellent touchdown from speedster Seabelo Senatla kept the home side within touching distance at the break.
Senatla, making his first Stormers start following his remarkable comeback after a 2023 car accident, scored in the left corner from a brilliant Warrick Gelant chip-kick.
Jaden Hendrikse later dotted down following some impressive interplay from the Sharks but the scrumhalf's try was ruled out for a forward pass in the buildup, yet there were no questions around Penxe's strong finish out wide on the 33rd-minute mark.
The Sharks kicked off the second stanza with 14 men due to a yellow card for left winger Ethan Hooker following a cynical tackle on Venter.
The Stormers thought they had regained the lead after the restart through a converted Paul de Wet score, but his try was chalked off for illegal play at the breakdown from Du Plessis.
The Hollywoodbets @SharksRugby take the lead #STOvSHA | @Vodacom#URC | #VUPYourSummerpic.twitter.com/PTHOEY8qV6
— vodacomrugby (@VodacomRugga) December 28, 2024
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The kick, the chase, the grounding
Seabelo Senatla brings the fans in DHL Stadium to their feet with this try on his comeback for @THESTORMERS! @Vodacom#URC | #STOvSHApic.twitter.com/GJ2aOghdnz
— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) December 28, 2024
Skipper Deon Fourie, though, would not be denied from close range off the back of a powerful maul to restore parity on the scoreboard as the match entered the final quarter.
Libbok unlocked the Sharks defence for the Stormers' third try before making no mistake from the kicking tee on goal, but the hosts' advantage was short-lived as Jordan Hendrikse added the extras to his five-pointer before the final hooter.
A well-struck Hendrikse penalty inside the closing minutes nudged the Sharks back in front before Du Plessis’ heroics secured a derby reverse for the Stormers after they went down in Durban at the end of November.
However, Stormers boss John Dobson will be sweating over the fitness of scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies, prop Neethling Fouche and playmaker Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who were all replaced before the close of the thrilling clash following big collisions with their opponents.
Sharks rival John Plumtree, too, will be a worried man after lock Emile van Heerden, centre Andre Esterhuizen and fullback Aphelele Fassi were substituted either side of the interval with injuries.
Both sides will now have a week's break before they return to action in the Investec Champions Cup on 11 January, with the Stormers set to host Sale Sharks while the Sharks face Toulouse at Kings Park.
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