Seven-try Stormers up to fifth on URC table after shrugging off Dragons challenge

News24

10-05-2025

The Stormers moved up to fifth spot on the URC table after a 48-12 bonus-point win over basement dwellers Dragons in Cape Town on Saturday night.
The Capetonians ran in seven tries against a Welsh side that fought gallantly despite playing second fiddle throughout.
The Dragons have won only one game so far this season, and the latest reverse was their 16th in the 2024/25 campaign. They are 20 log points behind Zebre who lie second from bottom.
As such, there wasn't much expected of the Dragons at Cape Town Stadium, but they kept the Stormers at bay for most of the first half.
When Stormers centre Wandisile Simelane darted over for a try after one minute, one would have been forgiven for predicting that a cricket score was on the cards.
That's how we do it. #STOvDRA #iamastormer @Vodacom #URC pic.twitter.com/NZS72L5Kqm
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) May 10, 2025
But that was not the case as the Dragons held their own for large parts, with the Stormers' second try only coming at the 35-munite mark through winger Seabelo Senatla.
This guy @Seabelo_Senatla is smoooth. #STOvDRA #iamastormer @Vodacom #URC pic.twitter.com/IcOk8q4yFy
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) May 10, 2025
Centre Damian Willemse, playing in his 100th Stormers match, thought he had scored soon afterwards, only to see his try cancelled after television cameras caught Stormers skipper Salmaan Moerat performing a 'croc roll' on a Dragons player.
Moerat pleaded his innocence but he was sent to the sin-bin for 10 minutes. That saw the Stormers go into the half-time break leading 14-0.
The Dragons used their one-man advantage to good effect and their pressure was rewarded when No 8 Aaron Wainwright scored soon after the break.
This reduced the score to 14-5, but once the Stormers were back to their full compliment, they regained control.
Scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer rounded off a spectacular move and Willemse was soon over for a try (this time legitimate) in his milestone game.
That also secured the bonus point for the Stormers.
The inevitable Damian Willemse. #STOvDRA #iamastormer @Vodacom #URC pic.twitter.com/NvlngDyV8d
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) May 10, 2025
But the Dragons showed fighting spirit and refused to lie down. They were rewarded when replacement back Dane Blacker went over with 10 minutes remaining.
Ruthless finishing. #STOvDRA #iamastormer @Vodacom #URC pic.twitter.com/tRgqLX3Eco
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) May 10, 2025
The Stormers, though, weren't done for the evening and bagged their fifth try when right winger Suleiman Hartzenberg rounded off after some slick handling by the Stormers backs.
By now the Stormers backs were running riot and they scored two more late tries after spectacular attacks, with replacement scrumhalf Paul de Wet adding his name to the scoresheet and Simelane adding his brace at the death.
The Stormers enjoyed 56% possession and 61% territory but this was far from a perfect performance.
John Dobson's charges now look a safe bet for the quarter-finals, but they'll have to improve their error-rate if they want to challenge for the title.
The Stormers next host another Welsh side, Cardiff, in Cape Town next Friday in what will be their last round-robin game before the playoffs.
Scorers:
Stormers 48 (14)
Tries: Wandisile Simelane (2), Seabelo Senatla, Stefan Ungerer, Damian Willemse, Suleiman Hartzenberg, Paul de Wet
Conversions: Sacha Feinberg Mngomezulu (3), Willemse (2)
Penalty: Feinberg-Mngomezulu
Dragons 12 (0)
Conversion: Lloyd Evans