Attacking Stormers rumble past Bulls

Stormers lock Eben Etzebeth gets hold of Bulls scrumhalf Rudy Paige at Newlands on Saturday. Photo: Ryan Wilkisky, BackpagePix

Stormers lock Eben Etzebeth gets hold of Bulls scrumhalf Rudy Paige at Newlands on Saturday. Photo: Ryan Wilkisky, BackpagePix

Published Feb 25, 2017

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CAPE TOWN – A win over their old rivals the Bulls would have been a perfect-enough start for new Stormers captain Siya Kolisi, but the fact that he also scored a try in their 37-24 triumph made their Super Rugby season-opening win even sweeter.

The Stormers ran in five tries to the Bulls’ four at Newlands on Saturday night, and made good on Kolisi’s promise of stopping their rivals’ momentum with big hits in the first half as Robbie Fleck’s men continuously kept the Bulls out of their red zone with strong tackles and gave Bulls dangerman Jacques Potgieter and Co a tough time at the breakdowns in the first half.

The hosts also produced some big scrums, especially in the first half, and kept the Bulls scoreless in the first 40, but the visitors had a slightly better time of it in the second half.

In the build-up to the much-anticipated game, Kolisi said that he didn’t really have a coaching philosophy and said that he just wanted to play his game and “make no excuses”, and there was no need for excuses at Newlands on Saturday night as the skipper led from the front (to use a cliché) with a solid performance.

The Stormers would also have gladdened their fans with the attacking intent that they showed from the start.

One man who did not have a ‘solid’ game was Bulls captain and flyhalf Handré Pollard, who had a shocking night tainted with aimless passes, a charged-down kick, and a sketchy kicking record.

He's Back! After a lengthy injury, the former IRB Junior Player of the Year makes his comeback tonight. #BeAFan pic.twitter.com/kodXxEFaIG

— South African Rugby (@Springboks) February 25, 2017

Stormers inside centre Damian de Allende, who produced a few nice runs, went off in the second half with what looked like a serious ankle injury.

De Allende’s injury wasn’t the only thing that went wrong for the hosts in the second stanza as the Stormers made a number of mistakes, but they produced a few great tries to seal the deal, even though they failed to clinch the bonus point.

In the first try of the match, fullback SP Marais fully deserved to celebrate with that beating-on-the-chest gesture after his try.

It all started just outside their own 22 when vice-captain Eben Etzebeth brilliantly showed his grit on the ground and secured a turnover to set up Marais’ fine try.

The hosts took the ball through the hands before scrumhalf Jano Vermaak, who ran a great line and showed superb awareness, sent the ball to Marais, who ran Bulls speedster Jamba Ulengo dizzy as he cut inside and out (gripping the ball in one hand, by the way) to cross over.

Jean-Luc du Plessis converted the try to give the Stormers a 7-0 lead.

Du Plessis had a successful go at the posts in the second quarter to extend the Stormers’ advantage to 10, but some impressive points were to follow about 10 minutes later.

Inside the Bulls 22, Du Plessis found Super Rugby debutant EW Viljoen with a strong pass, and the latter took a big risk that worked as he kicked a grubber five metres out.

Cheslin Kolbe, who started on the right wing, scooped the ball up and ran at an angle to score. Du Plessis kept his kicking record clean as he converted the second try of the match to make it 17-0.

And the Stormers didn’t stop there. Just before the break, No 8 Nizaam Carr, who went off early in the second half with an injury, ran in their third try after a ruck five metres out.

Al wat Ek sê is,dis ń STORMERS DING #Stormersjoulekkerding👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼😎

— Breyton Paulse (@BreytonPaulse) February 25, 2017

The Bulls got a quick try soon after halftime as the Stomers failed to collect the kick-off. Bulls No 8 Hanro Liebenberg stretched over to dot down after an outside pass from wing Jamba Ulengo, but they couldn’t add the conversion to trail 24-5.

The Stormers answered with another try after some superb play by Du Plessis, who displayed his vision and brilliantly made use of his blindside option to put Kolisi away for their fourth try.

Bulls loosehead Pierre Schoeman turned the Bulls’ points to double digits when he powered over the line for their second try, and Pollard converted to take the score to 29-12.

Liebenberg got his second try after a blunder by Etzebeth in midfield that led to the Bulls turning over possession, but Stormers wing Dillyn Leyds took the score out of reach for the Bulls when he went over.

Bulls scrumhalf Piet van Zyl scored a consolation try as the full-time siren sounded, and replacement flyhalf Tian Schoeman added the extras.

@WynonaLouw

Points-Scorers

Stormers

– Tries: SP Marais, Cheslin Kolbe, Nizaam Carr, Siya Kolisi, Dillyn Leyds. Conversions: Jean-Luc du Plessis (3). Penalties: Du Plessis (2).

Bulls

– Tries: Hanro Liebenberg (2), Pierre Schoeman, Piet van Zyl. Conversions: Handré Pollard (1), Tian Schoeman (1).

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