In a thrilling display that saw the Stormers blend nostalgic elements with modern rugby, the team secured a convincing 39-22 victory against the Sharks in the third round of the URC. Playing in Cape Town Stadium before an enthusiastic crowd of over 40,000, the Stormers avenged their previous losses, scoring six tries to the Sharks' three, demonstrating a dominant set-piece game.
The Stormers' captain, Ruhan Nel, reflected on the significance of the match and the fusion of past and present styles. He noted, "This club is built on so many legends of the game. The style of rugby they played during that original Men in Black, it’s true to the region. It’s what the people of Cape Town want to see."
"If you can have that style of rugby and blend it with the modern game, with our set-pieces, mauls, scrums, defensive systems … you’re actually sitting with something really beautiful. I felt today there were elements of all of that. Strong defence, good running rugby, the maul was operating properly, we had scrum ascendancy as well."
Nel also highlighted the dramatic flair added by Seabelo Senatla, whose acrobatic try celebration was a highlight of the game. "Mix that in with Seabelo’s flick-flack at the end of the first try he scored, it was a recipe for a special day."
Adding to the game's atmosphere, Corné Krige, the captain from the 1999 Men in Black, had presented the Stormers with their jerseys. The presence of such a storied player added gravity to the occasion. Nel emphasized, "Corné is a hero for most of us sitting here. Having him handing out jerseys means a lot to the guys. Having a lot of them in the stands as well … To do them justice, the occasion and the jersey justice, is quite special for the team."
On the lighter side, Nel joked about Senatla's spontaneous celebration style, saying, "I don’t even think he plans his outfits! That was probably an in-the-spur-of-the-moment thing. I’m just happy because he had both knees strapped and he still didn’t fall backwards."
The victory was not just about scoring tries but also about making a statement in their new season's black away kit, reminiscent of the iconic 1999 strip, bringing past glories to the present game and setting a high standard for the rest of the season. Stormers Rugby had also invited 50 former players and their families to the match, creating a bridge between different eras of the club's history.
