Stormers stand firm to thwart late fight-back

THE Stormers held out a late rally to win their opening Super Rugby match at Newlands.

The Cape Town outfit led the Argentine team 15-6 at the break after outscoring them two tries to one. However, the Jaguares reversed that stat in the second half, and almost snatched a shock victory.

The Jaguares took the lead through fly-half Nicolas Sanchez following a dangerous tackle by Stormers No.8 Nizaam Carr, but Stormers hit back with a try from Springbok centre Damian de Allende from a scrum turnover.

Jaguares conceded a plethora of penalties in the first half and full-back Joaquin Tuculet was sent to the bin in the 26th minute for a professional foul. Stormers fly-half Damian Willemse kicked the resulting penalty.

Jaguares responded with a penalty but Siya Kolisi extended the Stormers’ lead after some ordinary tackling.

Wing Raymond Rhule, making his Stormers debut, scored their third try at the start of the second half but Jaguares were getting stronger as the match wore on and they pulled a try back through Emiliano Boffelli.

Stormers were reduced to 14 when hooker Ramone Samuels was sent to the bin in the 65th minute after persistent infringements and Jaguares earned a penalty try almost immediately – but Willemse’s last minute penalty robbed the Jaguares of a losing bonus point.