Defending champion Stormers show off depth, carve Scarlets apart in first-half blitz

The Stormers flexed their muscles on Friday night, showing the depth they have in beating Wales' Scarlets 36-19 at Cape Town Stadium in a one-side United Rugby Championship (URC) clash. 

With South Africa's rugby spotlight shining brightly on the Springboks and their season-ending Test against England in London on Saturday, this clash slipped under the radar somewhat, but the crowd in attendance was sizeable enough and certainly lively. 

SCORECARD | URC - Stormers v Scarlets

Both sides were missing players to international duty - the curtain comes down on the November Test window this weekend - but for the defending URC champions, this was an opportunity to give those on the fringes a crack in an important game. 

The bonus point win means the Stormers rise to second on the tournament log behind only the undefeated Leinster, and coach John Dobson will be thrilled with how his charges rose to the occasion to give a timely reminder of their title credentials in their efforts to land back-to-back URC crowns. 

The Stormers were full of running and intent - that has become a familiar trait of the Dobson era - and they ran in five tries, never tested on the scoreboard and were largely dominant from start to finish. 

There was a welcome return for flyhalf Kade Wolhuter, who looked good throughout with intelligent distribution and accurate kicking providing encouraging signs. 

Tries from Herschel Jantjies, Leolin Zas, Ernst van Rhyn and a lovely run from Hacjivah Dayimani gave the hosts a commanding 29-7 lead at the break, and they never looked back. 

Dan du Plessis extended the lead shortly after the restart, but Scarlets then hit back with two tries in four minutes to narrow the gap to 36-19. 

Springbok hooker Joseph Dweba, meanwhile,