The Stormers won the United Rugby Championship (URC) league stages with a dramatic 26-21 victory against the Scarlets in Llanelli on Saturday.
The Stormers finished second on the log, putting John Dobson’s side in the quarter-finals at the Cape Town Stadium against Edinburgh.
If the Stormers win that match, they will also host a semi-final.
FINAL URC STANDINGS
The Scarlets tried hard to stamp their authority in the first half, and this was met by a committed attacking performance by the Stormers.
In the end a converted try and two penalty goals by the hosts saw them edge the Capetonians by two points at half-time despite the visitors outscoring them two tries to one.
The second half was thrilling with Stormers centre Ruhan Nel scoring a brace to secure them the vital bonus point-win to push them into second place on the log.
Scarlets flyhalf Sam Costelow opened up the scoring with a penalty goal in third minute, and three minutes later Jonny Williams (centre) scored a great try after chasing a stunning kick-up field, and the extra two by Costelow gave them an early 10-0 lead.
Stormers wing Leolin Zas used his raw pace and skills to dance his way through and around the defence in the 13th minute for their first try of the match and flyhalf Manie Libbok’s conversion saw them reduce their deficit on the scoreboard to three points.
This was short-lived as Costelow added back-to-back penalty goals within 11 minutes to inflate the home side’s lead once again, but this did not dent the visitors’ spirits, as they fought with intent until the break.
Their determined efforts paid off in the 37th minute as Evan Roos (flank) forced himself through a defender to score, and Libbok’s conversion saw them enter the break 16-14 down.
The visitors showed their intent from the outset in the second half with Nel darting his way through a gaping hole in the defence for their third try in the 41st minute, and this allowed the Capetonians to take the lead for the first time in the game at 21-16.
The Scarlets had another shot at the goal posts soon after, but Costelow’s attempt went wayward.
The Stormers found themselves under pressure shortly before the fourth quarter as Deon Fourie (flank) received a yellow card for a dangerous tackle, and fortunately for the visitors their tenacious defence managed to deny the Scarlets a try-scoring opportunity soon after.
The Scarlets hit back hard with Ryan Conbeer (wing) dashing his way to touch down in the corner with only minutes left to play, but the conversion was unsuccessful, leaving the teams tied at 21-21.
Nel, however had the final say of the match as he smashed his way through a defender to score the teams fourth and bonus point try in the dying minutes to hand them a vital bonus-point win.
SCORERS:
Scarlets
Tries: Jonny Williams, Ryan Conbeer
Conversion: Sam Costelow
Penalties: Costelow (3)
Stormers
Tries: Leolin Zas, Evan Roos, Ruhan Nel (2)
Conversions: Manie Libbok (3)
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