Stormers keep their hopes alive
Cape Town boys put in one of their best performances of the season
Stormers
Stormers — Herschel Jantjies, Siya Kolisi, Cobus Wiese, Jean-Luc du Plessis; Josh Stander (3), Du Plessis; Stander, Du Plessis
Highlanders: Sio Tomkinson, Waisake Naholo, Siate Tokolahi; Marty Banks, Dan Hollinshead. Banks at Newlands (17) 34 (3) 22
● The Stormers can dare to dream of a Super Rugby playoff after an inspired 34-22 win over the Highlanders at Newlands yesterday kept their post-season ambitions alive.
Despite scoring four tries, the Stormers were unable to secure a bonus point because they allowed the Highlanders in for three second- half tries.
Winning, though, was the Stormers’ primary objective and they achieved that goal comfortably with one of their best displays of the season.
Several key players rose to the occasion, none more so than centre Damian de Allende, who seemed to be involved in everything good the Stormers did. But the win also appeared to come at a cost as Pieter-Steph du Toit and Siya Kolisi cried off with injury.
The Stormers produced a quality opening half and deservedly went into the break 14 points up, though skipper Kolisi hobbled off shortly before half-time. The Bok captain has been in good form in recent weeks and he played an influential role before departing.
It was his try six minutes before the break that really stamped the Stormers’ authority on the scoreboard after dominating the half.
The try was almost a carbon copy of the one Kolisi scored against the Crusaders last week. He ran at full pace onto a flat pass, which he took slightly behind him, before rounding the last defender to score.
Considering that winning the conference is now out of the Stormers’ control, they played with freedom.
They attacked from everywhere but never sacrificed their defensive shape and desire to work off the ball because of it.
Fullback Damian Willemse, De Allende and wing Seabelo Senatla had superb matches, but they were not alone.
Scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies’s ascent continued against one of his heroes, Aaron Smith. The great All Black hopefully gave Jantjies a pat and a friendly word after the contest because he must have been impressed with what he saw up close.
Jantjies was a bundle of buzzing energy and when he wasn’t clearing rucks with speed and accuracy, he sniped and attacked cracks in the Highlanders defence. He scored a well-taken try when running a smart angle
Winning was the Stormers’ primary objective and they achieved that goal comfortably