Online Reporter
The Thomond Park jinx on the DHL Stormers is no more following an amazing second-half comeback from the Cape side that earned them a richly deserved 27-21 win over arch-rivals Munster in their top of the log Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash on Saturday night.
The Stormers scored 27 points without reply in a dominant second-half performance to clinch a win that takes them to the top of the log after six games. They had started the weekend level on points with Munster, but ahead on points difference, and with this win they go three points clear at the top as they continue their impressive momentum.
The Stormers were missing several Springboks who were playing in Cardiff so Munster, who had their Ireland internationals back, started as clear favourites, something that made the Stormers’ achievement all the more meritorious, remembering of course that there is some history between the two sides after the Irish side came to South Africa to beat the Stormers in the 2023 final.
The Limerick venue was one of the frontiers the Stormers still had to cross in the competition and at halftime, when they trailed 21-6, it looked like their drought at the venue was to continue for at least another year.
STARTED OFF THE PACE
The Stormers had started a bit off the pace and indiscipline cost them in the first quarter, forcing them to chase the game from an early stage.
The defensive organisation and synchronisation that had been a hallmark of the early part of their campaign appeared to have deserted them, and errors played a role in the three tries that Munster scored. Lock Conor Evans was yellow carded after three minutes and flank Marcel Coetzee after 20, forcing the Stormers to play 20 minutes of the first half down to 14 men.
They hardly got their hands on the ball in the first quarter, and Munster also dominated the territory. By halftime the Stormers had been forced to make a significantly greater number of tackles than the home team.
However, by the time the last 10 minutes of the half arrived there was a perceptible shift in momentum, and although the Stormers didn’t score in that period, and still had a lot of catching up to do, it looked like they were starting get the ascendancy in the physical battle.
The Stormers scrum had also been dominant, which is always a warning sign for opposing teams. But although flyhalf Jurie Matthee had kicked a penalty from inside his own half after six minutes to take the lead briefly, Munster made it look all too easy when they sent their skipper Tadhg Beirne over for their first try shortly after that.
Matthee drew three points back but after a long TMO consultation Munster were awarded a debatable try (when you discuss it that long there’s always doubt) to John Hodnett to put daylight between the teams as Munster went ahead 14-6 in the 20th minute.
Nine minutes later flyhalf Jack Crowley scored his team’s third try and at that point it looked like Munster might power to a convincing win. — SuperSport.
