Stormers flashback: London Storm

07/03/2024 09:02

A convincing bonus-point win away against London Irish was key to propelling the DHL Stormers to a home play-off place in their maiden Investec Champions Cup campaign.

In a spectacular display at the Gtech Community Stadium in Brentford, the DHL Stormers showcased their dominance with a 28-14 result, highlighted by tries from centre Ruhan Nel and wingers Suleiman Hartzenberg and Angelo Davids.

This followed the earlier 34-14 victory against the Exiles at DHL Stadium, with the back-to-back victories against the former Gallagher Premiership side solidifying the DHL Stormers' position in the pool and setting the stage for a bonus-point win against Clermont Auvergne to progress to the Round of 16.

The Capetonians took a 21-0 lead into the break and cruised to victory against an Exiles outfit reduced to 13 men after a Ben Loader red card and Juan Martín Gonzalez yellow card.

Loader's individual performance at DHL Stadium earlier in the season had caught the eye of DHL Stormers Head Coach John Dobson and the Englishman was snapped up at the end of the season when London Irish were forced into insolvency.

Back to Brentford, where the DHL Stormers were ahead after just 13 minutes when a cleverly worked maul was dragged down on the line, resulting in a penalty try for the visitors.

They notched their second try as Nel flew out the defensive line for the interception and cruised under the posts before Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu stabbed a smart kick in behind the defence, with Hartzenberg gathering and stepping inside to finish.

Davids secured the bonus point for the DHL Stormers as he scooped up a kick forward from inside centre Dan du Plessis and dotted down.

The Cape team's first foray in the Investec Champions Cup ended in the quarterfinals, but the attacking flair of Nel and Hartzenberg in the win against the Exiles served notice to their rivals that the DHL Stormers can hold their own among the best clubs in the competition.

For more, see thestormers.com

Photo: @THESTORMERS/Twitter

The post Stormers flashback: London Storm appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.