STORMERS SNATCH DERBY WIN IN LATE-GAME THRILLER

The DHL Stormers tightened their grip on the United Rugby Championship title race on Saturday with a hard-fought 13-8 victory over the Vodacom Bulls at a packed Cape Town Stadium.

In a match that was scrappy, tense and fiercely competitive from start to finish, it was a late surge that ultimately decided one of South Africa’s most anticipated derbies.

The Bulls struck first when experienced fly-half Handré Pollard capitalised on a quick tap penalty to score early and put his side ahead. Still, the Stormers hit back before halftime with points from Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and a powerful effort from forward Evan Roos to go into the break just in front.

For long periods, the game was a bruising, error-ridden battle with handling mistakes and penalties keeping both sides locked in a tight tactical fight rather than an open, free-flowing affair.

That all changed late in the second half when the Stormers mounted a dominant rolling maul from a lineout. Replacement prop Ntuthuko Mchunu powered through to score in the 79th minute, handing the home side a dramatic derby win and extending their unbeaten run across all competitions.

The result not only stretched the Stormers’ impressive streak but also underlined their status as one of the form teams in the URC this season. With backs like Feinberg-Mngomezulu and big forwards leading the charge, they’ve shown they can grind out results even when the scoreboard isn’t lighting up.

Image credit: The Citizen