Nine-try Stormers run hapless Zebre ragged in Stellenbosch

The Stormers ran Italian outfit Zebre ragged in their United Rugby Championship (URC) encounter at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch on Sunday evening.

The Cape franchise bagged nine tries to win 55-7, having led 33-0 at half-time.

AS IT HAPPENED | Stormers v Zebre

The match was moved to the university town because of the Cape Town Cycle Tour taking place earlier in the day around the Stormers' Cape Town Stadium base.

But the Stormers hardly played like a team unfamiliar with their surroundings.

They outclassed Zebre in all departments, with their enterprising style, along with dominance in the set pieces, proving far too much for the visitors from Italy.

Sublime backline play, which yielded tries for Manie Libbok, Damian Willemse, Leolin Zas and Seabelo Senatla, saw the Stormers secure a try-scoring bonus-point after only 23 minutes.

With the bonus-point secured, the hosts took the foot slightly off the pedal in the latter parts of the first half, but they finished it strong with a pushover try from hooker Scarra Ntubeni.

What a way to finish off this weekend!#URC | #STOvZEB pic.twitter.com/oKtKu4zTNs

Zebre started the second half stronger and were rewarded with a try by South African-born centre Erich Cronje, who followed up a clever chip over the Stormers defence by flyhalf Carlo Canna.

Right winger Senatla bagged his second try in the 57th minute when he beautifully followed up his own chip over the Zebre defence, before acrobatically diving to dot down in the corner.

Left winger Zas also claimed his brace three minutes later when he rounded off a great team try in the other corner.

Matters got worse for Zebre when they lost winger Asaeli Tuivuaka to a red card for a dangerous tackle.

The Stormers kept plugging away and