Stormers sink battling Rebels

Rudolph Jacobs

The Stormers ensured they stayed in the Super Rugby hunt by recording a hard-fought 34-18 win over the abrasive Rebels at Newlands yesterday afternoon.

The Stormers climbed back to third on the SA Conference. The Sharks also have 18 points, but have won one game less.

Leading 17-6 at the break and outscoring the Aussies eventually by four tries to two, the Stormers came unstuck in the second half as the Rebels fought back with two tries by winger Seva Naivalu.

Two missed chances by centre EW Viljoen and later flank Sikhumbuzo Notshe deprived the Stormers of a crucial bonus point.

Stormers coach Robbie Fleck lauded his team’s character for keeping their calm and composure against the Rebels’ second half onslaught.

“We created a lot of opportunities in the first half especially and again missed out on a few. There’s no doubt about us creating and it’s probably only down to the lack of proper execution,” said Fleck.

In the first half centre Damian de Allende (above) and wing JJ Engelbrecht scored, while fullback Dillyn Leyds scored the third just after the break for a commanding 24-6 advantage. Engelbrecht completed his brace on the stroke of full-time.

The Stormers dominated the scrums in the first half, but failed to build on that in the second half, but storming efforts by De Allende, scrumhalf Dewaldt Duvenhage, lock Pieter-Steph du Toit and prop Steven Kitshoff provided a much-needed win.

Rebels coach Dave Wessels admitted their first half scrum struggles cost them dearly.

“The set-pieces in the first half were a big problem. We didn’t get proper ball and we needed better field possession,” he said.