Stormers 57
SWD Eagles 14
CAPE TOWN - The Stormers should be high on confidence when they meet their old foes the Bulls in their Super Rugby opener after two very successful pre-season games, and now it’s just the Lions that can break that confidence when they meet in the last friendly at Newlands next week.
Robbie Fleck’s charges scored nine tries to the South Western Districts’ two at Outeniqua Park in George yesterday, recording yet another high-scoring win after beating the Cheetahs 43-7 in Harare last week.
In rainy conditions, the Stormers, led by wing Dillyn Leyds, ran in three tries in the first half and a further six in the second 40 to claim the morale-boosting win.
Hooker Chad Solomon got the Stormers’ first try on the board, and things got even tougher for the Eagles when scrumhalf Boela Abrahams was shown a yellow shortly afterwards.
The Stormers forwards’ hard work up front paid off again when tighthead prop Frans Malherbe went over for their second, before the hosts got their side of the scoreboard ticking with their first five-pointer through wing Charles Radebe.
But the Stormers had the last say in the first half, as they roped in another try through lock Cobus Wiese, which gave them a 19-7 advantage at the break.
In the second half Leyds and fullback Cheslin Kolbe got in on the act as they both crossed over soon after half-time.
Despite the fact that Fleck (pictured) made a great number of changes in an effort to give all 30 players a run, it didn’t influence the Stormers’ momentum at all, with Carlu Sadie, Daniel Maree and Justin Phillips all dotting down before SWD got a consolation try from Justin Bhana.
Points scorers:
Stormers: Tries: Solomon, Van Wyk, Wiese, Kolbe, Leyds, Coetzee, Sadie, Phillips, Maree Cons: Damian Willemse 3, Kurt Coleman 3
SWD Eagles: Tries: Radebe, Bhana Cons: Johnny Welthagen, Leelanau Moos