DHL Stormers 17-28 Glasgow Warriors

BKT United Rugby Championship, Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch, South Africa 26/10/2024 DHL Stormers vs Glasgow Warriors Johnny Matthews of Glasgow Warriors scores a try Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Steve Haag Sports/EJ Langner

Tries from Johnny Matthews, Sione Tuipulotu – in a Player of the Match-winning performance -, Kyle Rowe and Henco Venter secured the win for Franco Smith’s men, who move top of the standings as they stand after six matches.

With a fervent atmosphere inside Danie Craven Stadium in the early afternoon sunshine, the two teams initially cancelled each other out in an evenly-matched opening to the contest. Jamie Bhatti and Rory Darge each earned turnover penalties at the breakdown for the visiting Warriors, whilst Huw Jones and Leolin Zas tested defences early for their respective sides.

Neither side was able to open their tally during the game’s opening quarter, as two of the league’s great entertainers instead showed their defensive resolve. Gregor Brown’s charge for the line was only denied by a well-timed interception from Paul de Wet, whilst Adam Hastings had to be alert to a chip and chase from Manie Libbok.

The Stormers thought they had registered the game’s opening score with 23 minutes on the clock, as midfield chaos allowed Dan du Plessis to hack the ball dowfield. Zas won the foot-race to the loose ball to touch down, only for the TMO to chalk off the score for an earlier knock-on from the hands of Damian Willemse.

Both sides continue to throw everything at each other, the match played out at breathless intensity in the baking heat. Josh McKay picked off a crucial interception just a handful of metres from his own try-line, before Sebastian Cancelliere almost broke free at the other end were it not for stout Stormers scramble defence.

The hosts were eventually the team to break the deadlock on 33 minutes, possession and territory finally paying dividends for the men in black. Libbok’s wide pass and Warrick Gelant’s offload in the tackle send Willemse on course for the line, Libbok adding the extras for a 7-0 lead.

Yet Glasgow’s response was swift. First, slick interplay between Matthews and Henco Venter sent the hooker racing into Stormers territory, before Hastings’s beautifully-delayed pass to Jones saw the centre look to free McKay. Only an illegal slap-down from Libbok would deny the Warriors, the fly-half shown a yellow card as a result.

The Warriors took immediate advantage from the resulting penalty, and in trademark fashion from the set-piece. Matthews was pinpoint in his throw to Gregor Brown, as the maul went to work. It was too much for the home side to handle, as Matthews touched down for a try that – converted by Hastings – levelled the scores as the half-time hooter sounded.

With Libbok sidelined for the opening salvos of the second half, the Warriors were keen to make the most of their numerical advantage, duly doing so in style with 48 minutes on the clock. Turnover ball in midfield saw Brown carry strongly, before sharp handling from Cummings and Hastings sent Cancelliere racing into space. The winger’s chip ahead was perfectly measured, allowing captain Tuipulotu to pick up and dot down untouched. Hastings made a mockery of the angle, converting superbly from the touchline for a 14-7 lead as Libbok returned to the field.

Restored to a full complement of players, back came the Stormers, striking for their second score just six minutes later. Sustained pressure in the Glasgow 22 eventually told, Libbok’s looping pass finding Dan du Plessis, the Stormers captain finishing well despite the attention of Cancelliere and Jones. Libbok followed Hastings in converting from the touchline, levelling the scores once more.

The Warriors were increasingly finding joy in the back-line, however, and thought they had touched down for another spectacular score as the game ticked past the hour mark. Tuipulotu was the catalyst, charging into space and rounding Gelant before feeding Cancelliere on the inside for the score. Yet the TMO would once again intervene, calling play back for a forward pass from Hastings in the build-up.

Instead, it was the Stormers who were next to trouble the scorers, Libbok putting his side back in front on 63 minutes with a long-range penalty from a scrum. The lead was to last all of 50 seconds, though. Excellent work from McKay in the first instance gave the Warriors front-foot ball, before Tuipulotu’s looping pass found Rowe in the wide channel. The winger’s chip and chase was sublime, regathering and diving over in the corner for the score. Tom Jordan – on for Hastings – added the extras, and the Warriors led 21-17 with 15 minutes to play.

The Warriors were in full flight now, and with momentum on their side the fourth – and bonus-point – try arrived with eight minutes to play. Matthews was once again at the heart of proceedings, the hooker linking up with Darge off a line out before showing great pace and footwork to take play to within five metres. Whilst Jamie Dobie’s snipe was stopped just short, there was no stopping Venter on the second attempt, the back-rower powering over for a score that – allied to Jordan’s conversion – gave the Warriors a 28-17 lead.

It was a lead that they would not relinquish, one final penalty drawn by the pack dispatched to touch by Jamie Dobie as the final whistle sounded. A first regular-season win in South Africa since 2018 – and the perfect way to go into the Autumn Nations Series break.