Deon Fourie in motion for the Stormers in opposition to Harlequins. (Photo by EJ Langner/Gallo Images)
At Cape Town Stadium
- The Stormers booked their quarter-finals spot within the Champions Cup after beating Harlequins 32-28.
- The scoreline considerably flatters Harlequins because the Stormers had led 32-7 after 75 minutes.
- Stormers flank Deon Fourie was named Player of the Match after scoring a brace of tries.
The Stormers booked their spot within the Champions Cup quarter-finals with a 32-28 win over Harlequins in Cape Town on Saturday.
AS IT HAPPENED | Stormers v Harlequins
The hosts scored 5 tries as they outclassed their English opponents for big elements. Flanker Deon Fourie scored a brace, whereas skipper Steven Kitshoff, fullback Damian Willemse and free ahead Willie Engelbrecht additionally dotted down.
The guests responded with a brace from No 8 Alex Dombrandt, Springbok centre Andre Esterhuizen and winger Joe Marchant.
The 32-28 scoreline is just not a real reflection of the match although, because the Stormers had led 32-7 after 75 minutes. But the guests confirmed a never-say-die angle to attain three tries within the closing 5 minutes to provide themselves one thing to put in writing dwelling about.
For giant elements, nevertheless, Harlequins will really feel they ran right into a brick wall on Saturday, with the Stormers not giving them an inch on their dwelling floor.
Cape Town Stadium has turn out to be a fortress for the Stormers, who have not misplaced on the floor since December 2021.
That document by no means actually regarded at risk in entrance of a 33 501-strong crowd.
A high-octane begin
The Stormers began like a home on fireplace when Fourie scored inside the primary minute. He rounded off an amazing crew strive after the hosts had attacked from the kick-off. They caught Harlequins off guard with their depth.
But Harlequins responded instantly after successful a penalty from the following kick-off. They arrange an attacking lineout from which Dombrandt scored off a driving maul.
Flyhalf Marcus Smith transformed to stage issues (7-7).
The Stormers then returned the favour quickly afterwards when skipper Kitshoff rounded off a robust driving maul within the eighth minute.
With the Stormers main 12-7 after 10 minutes of helter-skelter rugby, the sport went right into a little bit of a lull as each groups have been error-prone.
But the Stormers regarded extra harmful, and after a number of unsuccessful attacking forays into the Quins 22m space, they have been lastly rewarded when Fourie scored his second strive within the twenty ninth minute. He dotted down after breaking free from a driving maul.
Harlequins attacked ferociously on the tail-end of the primary half however resolute Stormers defence stored them at bay because the hosts turned sides main 17-7.
Springbok Willemse scored a surprise strive within the forty eighth minute when he spectacularly dived over within the nook. The transfer was began by Seabelo Senatla amassing a cross-kick from Manie Libbok, earlier than off-loading to Willemse, who dived over in acrobatic trend (22-7).
A 45m penalty from Libbok then put the Stormers 25-7 forward after 56 minutes.
Harlequins fought manfully to get again into the competition however wave after wave of assault was nicely countered by the Stormers.
The Stormers put the sport to mattress when alternative free ahead Engelbrecht scored off a driving maul within the seventy fifth minute.
The Stormers then went to sleep within the closing 5 minutes as Harlequins scored three tries to make the scoreline much more respectable.
The Stormers now look forward to the results of Sunday’s spherical of 16 match between Exeter Chiefs and Montpellier. If Exeter win at dwelling, then they’ll host the Stormers within the quarter-finals. If Montpellier win, then they’ll journey to Cape Town for the last-eight encounter.
Scorers:
Stormers 32 (17)
Tries: Deon Fourie (2), Steven Kitshoff, Damian Willemse, Willie Engelbrecht
Conversions: Manie Libbok (2)
Penalty: Libbok
Harlequins 28 (7)
Tries: Alex Dombrandt (2), Andre Esterhuizen, Joe Marchant
Conversions: Marcus Smith (4)
