Cape Town erupted on Friday night as the Stormers delivered a historic 35-0 thrashing to defending United Rugby Championship (URC) champions Leinster at the DHL Stadium. The convincing victory sends a strong message to the rest of the league and marks a memorable start to the Stormers' campaign.
Stormers Dominate in All Areas
While the first half saw a tighter contest with the Stormers leading 6-0, the second half was a masterclass in attacking rugby. Tries from Stefan Ungerer, Evan Roos, Ruan Ackermann, and Jurie Matthee secured a bonus-point win for the home side. Matthee proved instrumental, contributing 20 points with three conversions and three penalties alongside his try.
Leinster, missing key players, struggled to find their rhythm and failed to register a single point. The Irish province also suffered two yellow cards in the second period, further compounding their woes.
According to rugby analyst Mark Keohane, writing for the Sunday Times, this victory ranks among the Stormers' finest performances. He noted that while Leinster were missing their British & Irish Lions contingent, they still fielded 13 international players, highlighting the significance of the Stormers' achievement.
Key Stats Tell the Story
- The Stormers dominated the set piece, winning all eight scrums and 17 of 18 lineouts.
- They controlled 62% of the territory and kicked for an impressive 824 metres.
- Leinster's defense faltered, missing 25 tackles.
Man of the Match Seabelo Senatla shone with his attacking prowess, while young prop Vernon Matongo held his own against seasoned veteran Rabah Slimani.
The Stormers will look to continue their winning ways when they host Ospreys, while Leinster will aim to bounce back against the Bulls.