Just when it looked like the Stormers had the Sharks on the ropes with a comfy 12-point lead early on, the boys from Durban staged a jaw-dropping comeback to snatch a 26-17 victory at Outeniqua Park. It was the kind of twist that would make a soap opera writer proud, turning what seemed like a predictable plot into a nail-biter right until the final whistle.
The match kicked off with the Stormers quickly putting points on the board, thanks to a double try effort from Seabelo Senatla and another from Ben-Jason Dixon. The Sharks' fullback Yaw Penxe managed to put his team on the scoreboard, but it was Francois Venter who started the turnaround with a crucial try just before halftime. The second half was all Sharks, as they dominated the field with Jason Jenkins and Christie Grobbelaar adding to the tally, leaving the Stormers scrambling.
"Great pre-season workout in George. Thanks to all our fans who came out to support us. #inittogether"
As the Sharks prepare to head to Glasgow and the Stormers gear up for a battle against Leinster in Cape Town, both teams will be taking many positives from this encounter, along with areas needing tweaks and improvements.
STORMERS: Luke Burger, Seabelo Senatla, Wandisile Simelane, Ruhan Nel (c), Leolin Zas, Jurie Matthee, Dewaldt Duvenage, Marcel Theunissen, Ben-Jason Dixon, Paul de Villiers, JD Schickerling, Adre Smith, Zachary Porthen, Andre-Hugo Venter, Vernon Matongo. Bench: Lukhanyo Vokozela, Oliver Reid, Cabous Eloff, JJ Kotze, Alex Groves, Connor Evans, Louw Nel, Stefan Ungerer, Clinton Swart, Damian Markus, Jared Africa, Justin Geduld, Sako Makata.
SHARKS: Yaw Penxe, Phikolomzi “PK” Sobahle, Lukhanyo Am, Francois Venter, Christie Grobbelaar, Siya Masuku, Jaden Hendrikse, Vincent Tshituka (c), Emmanuel Tshituka, Phepsi Buthelezi, Jason Jenkins, Bathobele Hlekani, Ruan Dreyer, Fez Mbatha, Phatu Ganyane. Bench: Eduan Swart, Dian Bleuler, Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, Deon Slabbert, Tino Mavesere, Nick Hatton, Ross Braude, Edwill van der Merwe, Paschal Ekeji, Jean Smith, Hakeem Kunene, Mawande Mdanda, Willem van den Hever.