Stormers blow handy lead as La Rochelle roar back to clinch Champions Cup thriller

Manie Libbok missed a pressure-cooker, last-gasp conversion attempt from the touchline as the Stormers agonisingly lost 21-22 to La Rochelle at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday, in the process being eliminated from this season's Champions Cup.

The home flyhalf had dragged his side back into contention by launching the cross-kick to Suleiman Hartzenberg that gave them the opportunity to win the skirmish.

But his kick went wide.

To be fair, the Stormers should've made their substantial advantage at half-time, which saw them lead 13-0, count better after playing the defending champions off their feet.

However, La Rochelle roared back to score three tries in the second half and send a decent crowd home somewhat depressed.

Point scorers:

Stormers 21 (13)

Try: Herschel Jantjies, Suleiman Hartzenberg

Conversion: Manie Libbok

Penalties: Libbok (3)

La Rochelle 22 (0)

Tries: Louis Penverne, Gregory Alldritt, Joel Scalvi

Conversion: Antoine Hastoy (2)

Penalty: Hastoy