The Stormers outscored the Cheetahs by seven tries to one to secure a 43-7 victory in their first warm-up game of the season in Harare on Saturday.
The match formed part of the Old Mutual Super Rugby Weekend at the National Sports Stadium in Harare, with the Bulls beating the Lions 38-17 earlier in the day.
The Stormers opened the scoring early on, as centre Damian de Allende crossed for the first try, which was converted by flyhalf Kurt Coleman.
The second try came from a strong run from flank Jaco Coetzee, and it was not long before they held a commanding 21-0 lead as replacement scrumhalf Godlen Masimla got over for a third try, with Coleman adding the extras on both occasions.
However, the Stormers were struck a blow when Masimla was shown a yellow card for a deliberate infringement, and the Cheetahs had the final say in the first half with a converted try reducing the Stormers’ halftime lead to 21-7.
The second half saw coach Robbie Fleck make a number of changes, but that would have no impact on their dominance as they ran in a further four tries.
Siya Kolisi, Khanyo Ngcukana, Masimla and Justin Phillips all crossed the whitewash to put the seal on a comprehensive performance in the end, which will give the squad a lot of confidence heading into their upcoming warm-up matches against SWD in George on February 4 and the Lions at Newlands on February 11.
Meanwhile, in the first match of the day, the Bulls kicked off their pre-season with a 38-17 win over the Lions.
It was a nervy start for the men in blue as the Lions found their feet and within seven minutes scored the opening try of the match.
However, the Bulls’ relentless pressure was rewarded with a penalty try. And a conversion by Tony Jantjies handed Bulls a 7-5 lead.
The lead was short-lived as the Lions hit back with a try.
Before the break, the Bulls added a double thanks to loose forwards Renaldo Bothma and Nick de Jager.
Jantjies stepped up and successfully converted both tries to give the Pretoria side a 21-10 advantage at the break.
The Bulls attack just proved too strong in the second half,, and they added another unanswered brace of tries through wing Jamba Ulengo and loose forward Hanro Liebenberg.
The Lions tried to get themselves into the match with a much-needed try, but with three minutes left on the clock, the Bulls rounded off with a five-pointer by Shaun Adendorff.
Stormers Scorers
Tries – Damian de Allende, Jaco Coetzee, Godlen Masimla (2), Siya Kolisi, Khanyo Ngcukana, Justin Phillips. Conversions: Kurt Coleman (3), Robert du Preez (1).
* Cheetahs scorers not available.
Bulls Scorers
Tries – Penalty Try, Shaun Adendorff, Hanro Liebenberg, Jamba Ulengo, Nick de Jager, Renaldo Bothma. Conversions: Tian Schoeman (1), Tony Jantjies (3).
* Lions scorers not available.