Damian Willemse was largely kept quiet during his 100th start for the Stormers, coming in their URC derby against the Bulls. Picture: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images The Stormers made it 10 wins in a row this season when they beat the Bulls 13-8 in their United Rugby Championship derby in Cape Town on Saturday. The match was full of mistakes, with 23 handling errors and 30 penalties conceded between the sides.
The tension culminated in scuffles throughout the contest, and in the end, a late try from a Stormers drive proved the difference. The teams were largely even in the scrum battle until Stormers loosehead Ali Vermaak was taken off by paramedics, and his replacement Ntuthuko Mchunu struggled against in-form Springbok tighthead Wilco Louw. Several scrum penalties gave the Bulls momentum.
Once Louw left the field, however,the Stormersheld dominance in the set-piece. The Capetonians were also stronger in the lineouts and secured more possession overall. The result extended the Bulls’ losing streak to six matches.
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Unlike theSharks–Lions URC derbyearlier in the day, the Stormers and Bulls were slow to register points. After a scrappy opening and missed chances, Bulls scrumhalf Embrose Papier pounced on a loose ball, chased his own kick and appeared to score in the 18th minute. But it was found that his knee had gone out of play before he grounded.
An exasperated Stormers tried a drop-goal early in the second quarter, but Damian Willemse missed. Bulls flyhalf Handré Pollard finally scored from a tap-and-go after 30 minutes. Three minutes later, Stormers flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu slotted a penalty to reduce the deficit to two points.
Bulls fullback Willie le Roux was shown a yellow card immediately afterwards for offside. The Stormers used their numerical advantage to good effect and took the lead right before half-time when Evan Roos crashed over following a lineout. That made the score 8-5 at the break.
Pollard equalised forthe Bullsafter 43 minutes thanks to a second scrum penalty. He then pulled two penalty kicks wide after 54 and 56 minutes.
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