The Stormers, significantly depleted in terms of first-choice personnel, endured an incredibly difficult night in Belfast on Friday as they were well beaten 35-5 by Ulster. FT | Ulster 35-5 StormersIt was always going to be a tough outing for the defending champions, but few would have anticipated the contest being this one-sided.
It didn't help that the already diluted Stormers were dealt a whack of first-half injuries with Springbok No 8 Evan Roos, hooker JJ Kotze and flyhalf Jean-Luc du Plessis all leaving the field injured.
That severely disrupted the Stormers, and it left them struggling for continuity and dominance all over the park. Ulster, meanwhile, were physical and clinical, doing the basics right as Bok legend Duane Vermeulen led their battles in contact and on the ground.
By half-time, the Stormers were 21-0 down after shipping three tries, and there were no indications that they would be able to launch a comeback in the second period.