Casual Stormers nearly collapse but squeak past Sharks in URC cliff-hanger

It shouldn’t have been close – not by a million miles.

But the casual Stormers contrived to make a comfortable win into a cliff-hanger to squeak past the Sharks 29-23 in the United Rugby Championship (URC) in Cape Town.

Passes that have usually been silky, especially in the second half, went to ground and mouth-watering moves that contributed to their 46-19 win at Kings Park last month, didn’t have the same ending but the Stormers got the job done … only just.

The Stormers committed 14 handing errors to the Sharks’ five, yet were far the more threatening team and made away with a bonus-point win. An indictment on both teams.

AS IT HAPPENED | Stormers v Sharks

There were hardly any Springboks on the park and like Stormers mentor John Dobson said in his pre-match interview, "hardly any marketing done or fanfare". But the Stormers faithful showed up for their team as 30 701 filled Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

Although the Sharks started well and competed well at the breakdown, going ahead 3-0 through Curwin Bosch’s boot, the Stormers struck the first meaningful blow when centre Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu went over after 15 minutes.

The Sharks were moving in increments, Bosch’s boot, while the Stormers landed meaty blows. And they did themselves little favours for the second Stormers try.

Springbok scrumhalf Grant Williams put up a regrettable box kick that his forwards did well to tap back volleyball style, only for Henco Venter to throw the ball straight into Ben Jason-Dixon’s grateful arms for the easiest score in the competition.

The Stormers put some scoreboard distance less than 10 minutes before the break when fullback Clayton Blommetjies scored their third try.

It was a well-crafted first-phase move, the good old school