Player of the Match and loosehead prop Ntuthuko Mchunu celebrates one of his two tries against the Glasgow Warriors on Saturday afternoon in Cape Town.
Image: Stormers Rugby
The Stormers returned to the top of the United Rugby Championship (URC) and effectively sealed a quarter-final place following a crushing 48–12 victory over the Glasgow Warriors in Cape Town on Saturday afternoon.
When captain Ruhan Nel scored the fourth try in the corner after chasing a neat grubber off the boot of flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, playing in his 50th cap, the match was all but sealed, although there were still 30 minutes left to play.
Even though the Warriors were at full strength for this clash, the way the home side controlled proceedings showed why they were comfortable after securing their bonus-point try. They were in control of the game from almost the first kick-off, although there were still a few hiccups in their play.
But the manner in which they physically dominated Glasgow in the tight exchanges throughout the clash, and the way they controlled territory and possession, laid the platform for the convincing win. They also redeemed themselves after letting a victory over Connacht slip last weekend under tough circumstances.
Player of the Match and loosehead prop Ntuthuko Mchunu scored two brilliant tries, despite injuring his shoulder early in the game. He made a crunching tackle and stayed down before receiving treatment that got him back on his feet.
His tries came five minutes apart, with the first following a neat tap-and-go penalty by hooker André-Hugo Venter, while a pass out the back door by tighthead prop Neethling Fouché cheekily sent Mchunu crashing through would-be tacklers to score. His second came after a strong rolling maul broke apart, allowing him to crash over with the ball in hand.
Eighthman Evan Roos also scored a superb runaway try after a Glasgow high kick backfired, with the Stormers making metres along the touchline before some slick interplay by scrumhalf Cobus Reinach and Feinberg-Mngomezulu sent Roos over for his five-pointer.
Referee Eoghan Cross had his hands full with discipline, as expected in a top-of-the-table clash. Glasgow received two yellow cards — one of which could easily have been a red — while Reinach was also shown yellow after repeated warnings.
However, it was a victory the Stormers can be proud of. They never allowed the Warriors into the game, and it takes a strong defensive side to keep the Scottish club scoreless for over 40 minutes. Their forwards were outstanding, and the backs ensured the team played in the right areas of the field.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu and returning loose forward Keke Morabe capped off the game by each dotting down in the final 10 minutes following further dominant rolling mauls by the home side.
They are back to winning ways with a resounding victory and will enjoy a short break before two crucial overseas URC matches that will determine whether they remain atop the table. The only blemish was the injury to Reinach, who hobbled off — and the Stormers will hope it is not a serious leg issue.
Points scorers
Stormers 48 (24) Tries: Ntuthuko Mchunu (2), Evan Roos, Ruhan Nel, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Keke Morabe. Conversions: Feinberg-Mngomezulu (6). Penalties: Feinberg-Mngomezulu (2). Glasgow Warriors 12 (12): Tries: Ollie Smith, Gregor Hiddleston. Conversion: Adam Hastings.