The Stormers were handed a masterclass in attacking rugby at Newlands on Saturday night as the Chiefs swept to a thrilling 60-21 Super Rugby quarter-final victory.
The two-time champions scored eight outstanding tries as they displayed the blueprint that the Stormers hope to emulate, but are still considerably far from executing as they suffered their worst ever defeat at Newlands.
On a chilly night where the rain stayed away, the manner and ease with which the Kiwis were able to exploit and manipulate a porous Stormers defensive system destroyed any thoughts that the Cape side had of causing an upset.
The Chiefs found space out wide almost at will as they played with excellent width and were simple but highly effective with their offloading game, and looked like scoring almost every time they launched an attack.
Things started promisingly for the home side – despite losing flank Siya Kolisi to injury in the third minute – when tighthead prop Vincent Koch barged over 10 minutes later.
Eben Etzebeth anticipated a Chiefs five-metre lineout throw to the back and claimed it, before the ball was recycled to Koch.
But after a quiet start, the Chiefs machine rolled into action when they put together a number of phases, only for lock Brodie Retallick to lose the ball forward inside the Stormers half.
The visitors struck soon after that, though, as wing Sam McNicol rounded off a scintillating move as he beat Jaco Taute in a one-on-one duel.
Taute had a nightmare outing at fullback, with a number of poor decisions and woeful clearing kicks, and the same can be said for new flyhalf Robert du Preez, who looked totally off the pace in his return to Super Rugby since his injury in March.
Arguably the best Chiefs try came at the end of the first quarter as they attacked the blindside from inside their own half, and in-form wing James Lowe broke down the left and fed scrumhalf Brad Weber to run it in.
The result was put beyond doubt as early as the 25th minute as a comedy of errors from the Stormers saw Taute’s kick charged-down in the in-goal area before Huw Jones fumbled the ball forward, which saw No 8 Tom Sanders fall on it to register the Kiwis’ third touchdown.
The pain didn’t end there for coach Robbie Fleck and captain Schalk Burger as yet another dynamic Chiefs foray ended in Lowe finishing to bring up a 34-7 lead after 36 minutes.
Even though Koch burst through for his second try before halftime, the writing was on the wall already as the listless Stormers appeared lost on attack. A hesitant flyhalf Du Preez was unable to get the backline going, while the forwards seemed to operate as individuals instead of as a unit.
The ultimate embarrassment for the Stormers pack came after the break when the Chiefs won a tighthead inside the opposition 22, and the ball was shifted to the left for star fullback Damian McKenzie to slide into the corner.
The Stormers never gave up even though they looked like they had run out of ideas on attack, and replacement loosie Nizaam Carr scored a late try.
But a final try after the hooter from Tawera Kerr-Barlow and conversion by man-of-the-match McKenzie – who scored 25 points on the night – took the Chiefs beyond the 60 mark and ended the Stormers’ misery.
The Chiefs will now travel back to New Zealand to take on the Hurricanes in a semi-final next weekend, while the Lions will host the Highlanders at Ellis Park.
Stormers – Tries: Vincent Koch (2), Nizaam Carr. Conversions: Robert du Preez (2), Brandon Thomson (1).
Chiefs – Tries: Sam McNicol, Brad Weber, Tom Sanders, James Lowe, Damian McKenzie, Hika Elliot, Tevita Koloamatangi, Tawera Kerr-Barlow. Conversions: McKenzie (7). Penalties: McKenzie (2).