DHL Stormers flashback: Too much class for Waratahs

06/13/2024 03:00 AM

Juan de Jongh and Peter Grant were at the heart of an emphatic DHL Stormers semi-final win against the Waratahs at Newlands in the 2010 Super Rugby season.

De Jongh scored the only try of the game in the first half and Grant kicked 20 points as the DHL Stormers lived up to their status as the competition's best defensive team with another robust tackling display.

With the astute Jaque Fourie marshalling the backline and on-field general Duane Vermeulen calling the shots from the back of the scrum, the DHL Stormers conceded a miserly 18 tries and 202 points in 15 matches during that season.

The DHL Stormers' suffocating defence squeezed the life out of the Waratahs for a 25-6 victory to set up a historic all South-African final in Soweto, where the Capetonians were edged by the Vodacom Bulls.

The Waratahs were unable to capitalise on the few occasions they did breach the DHL Stormers' renowned defence, especially in the second half.

Grant kicked two penalties to give the DHL Stormers an early 6-0 lead, but the Waratahs drew level after flyhalf Berrick Barnes landed a penalty and a drop goal.

But De Jongh made the Waratahs pay dearly for fluffing a restart, the fleet-footed centre stepping past prop Dan Palmer, fullback Kurtley Beale and winger Drew Mitchell en route to the tryline.

Up 13-6 at the break, the more disciplined DHL Stormers cruised to victory in the second 40 minutes, with Grant booting four more penalties.