Clayton Blommetjies John Dobson France South Africa Cape Town county Clermont Rugby win as Clayton Blommetjies John Dobson France South Africa Cape Town county Clermont

URC makes fun return to Gqeberha as Stormers maintain stellar home record win Dragons win

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Cape Town, Stellenbosch or Gqeberha, it simply doesn't matter where the Stormers fulfil their home fixtures in the URC because the outcome will invariably be the same: they'll win.The Capetonians moved to the summit of the South African shield on Saturday afternoon following a 34-26 victory over the Dragons as franchise rugby made a glorious return to the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, the first outing since the Southern Kings hosted Connacht in the PRO14 almost three years ago.It's the Stormers' 14th successive home win.In a development that will please John Dobson, his rotation for this match - specifically done because the Stormers make their debut in the European Champions Cup against Clermont in France next week - generally worked out well even though they were under pressure for significant periods of the second stanza.With a returning Manie Libbok, after insisting he wanted to play despite only returning earlier in the week with the Springboks, dictating matters with another composed and varied performance, the hosts ensured maximum log points from as early as the 35th minute in racing into a 28-0 lead.It was stirring stuff from the defending champions, who not only dominated up front and at the scrum, but also showcased their immense confidence when it comes to keeping ball-in-hand.The most vivid expression of that desire came from Ruhan Nel, back at outside centre after an injury layoff, dotting down in the 22nd minute.Young wing Tristan Leyds had done brilliant to secure an aerial ball with one hand while almost seamlessly getting rid of possession.Libbok's beautiful floating pass to Clayton Blommetjies proved the impetus for the move, but it was Hacjivah Dayimani's delightful pop pass to Nel that allowed Leolin

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South Africa's most iconic, hard-fought rugby rivalry is back to its captivating best as the Stormers and Bulls prepare for their blockbuster United Rugby Championship (URC) showdown at DHL Stadium on Friday night. 
As expected, Bulls director of rugby Jake White overhauled his team once again, bringing back his fully loaded, in-form Springboks for the trip to Cape Town to face the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship on Friday (19:15).
Dan du Plessis, Suleiman Hartzenberg and Ben-Jason Dixon all come into the Stormers starting line-up for their United Rugby Championship encounter against the Bulls at Cape Town Stadium on Friday.
Springbok forwards Frans Malherbe and Marvin Orie have been included in the Stormers team to face London Irish in the Champions Cup at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday (19:30 SA time).
The Stormers made no excuses for a humbling debut in the European Champions Cup, culminating in a 14-24 loss to Clermont, but, encouragingly, realised that a defeat doesn't mean they can't compete in this competition.

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