DHL Stormers sink Vodacom Bulls at Loftus
03/01/2025 02:29 PM
The DHL Stormers showed incredible character to claim a hard-fought 19-16 win against the Vodacom Bulls in the pouring rain at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
The start of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship Origin Round derby was delayed due to lightning and a sodden pitch as the heavens opened in Pretoria.
The DHL Stormers handled the conditions superbly, kicking intelligently and contesting for the ball in the air with aplomb. It was a typically fierce South African derby, with neither side standing back physically.
The first half was a tense affair, with the teams trading penalties throughout.
The Vodacom Bulls were reduced to 14 when Willie le Roux was shown a yellow card for a cynical offence, but the wet conditions made it difficult for the DHL Stormers to take advantage of the extra man in the backline.
The visitors hung in the fight and refused to take a backwards step, ending the first half with a slender 12-9 advantage.
The second half saw both teams score one try each, with the game in the balance until the final whistle.
The Vodacom Bulls struck first as Ruan Vermaak forced his way over from close range, but the DHL Stormers would have the final and decisive say as Wandisile Simelane chased down a kick ahead to score after a great contest in the air.
The scorers:
For Vodacom Bulls:
Try: Vermaak
Con: Kriel
Pens: Kriel 3
For DHL Stormers:
Try: Simelane
Con: Matthee
Pens: Matthee 4
DHL Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant (Outeniqua), 14 Ben Loader (Wellington College), 13 Wandisile Simelane (Jeppe), 12 Dan du Plessis (Paul Roos), 11 Leolin Zas (Hermanus), 10 Jurie Matthee (Paarl Gim), 9 Stefan Ungerer (Maritzburg College), 8 Evan Roos (Paarl Boys), 7 Ben-Jason Dixon (Paul Roos), 6 Deon Fourie (Pietersburg), 5 Ruben van Heerden (Affies), 4 Salmaan Moerat (Paarl Boys – captain), 3 Neethling Fouche (Grey College), 2 Joseph Dweba (HTS Louis Botha), 1 Ali Vermaak (Hentie Cilliers).
Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter (Grey College), 17 Brok Harris (Bastion), 18 Frans Malherbe (Paarl Boys), 19 Gary Porter (Michaelhouse), 20 Marcel Theunissen (Grey College), 21 Willie Engelbrecht (Die Wilgers), 22 Paul de Wet (Paarl Boys), 23 Jonathan Roche (Bishops).
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