URC result: Stormers steamroll Dragons in Cape Town

The Stormers secured a bonus-point win, thumping Dragons 48–12 in their United Rugby Championship match at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

The Dragons were never in contention to earn their second win of the season, playing against a sixth-placed team in great form.

The Stormers, however, struggled to finish some chances off, especially in the first half. One try was held up and another was disallowed.

But they controlled possession and territory and made better use of their opportunities in the second half.

Stormers don’t give Dragons a whiff

The Stormers got off to a flyer when Wandisile Simelane scored a converted try when Dragons could not deal with the kick-off.

The Stormers only scored points again when winger Seabelo Senatla touched down on the sideline after a beautiful offload from prop Joseph Dweba in the 36th minute. The floodgates appeared to open there, with Damian Willemse scoring on the same sideline a minute later. However, the try was disallowed when the TMO judged Stormers captain Salmaan Moerat to have committed a dangerous cleanout in the build-up, leaving the score 14–0 at half-time.

The Dragons pulled one back in the 45th minute, Aaron Wainwright scoring their first points, though the try was not converted. The Stormers, however, extended their lead when scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer and centre Damian Willemse scored tries in the 49th and 55th minutes, respectively.

Dane Blacker gave the Dragons more scoreline respectability with a converted try from an errant Stormers lineout in the 70th minute. Yet again, the Stormers responded immediately with Suleiman Hartzenberg scoring an overlap try four minutes later, Paul de Wet finishing a great team move three minutes after that, and then Simelane scoring his second try to wrap up the game.

Scorers

Stormers: Tries – Wandisile Simelane (2), Seabelo Senatla, Stefan Ungerer, Damian Willemse, Paul de Wet. Conversions – Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu 3/4, Willemse 2/3. Penalties – Feinberg-Mngomezulu 1/2.

Dragons: Tries – Aaron Wainwright, Dane Blacker. Conversions – Lloyd Evans 1/1.