Stormers continue thrilling evolution in strolling past clumsy Lions

Just over a year ago, the Stormers suffered a chastening loss to the Lions at the Cape Town Stadium in a result that ultimately spurred them on to their eventual URC heroics.

A season later, the Cape franchise strolled to a 40-8 victory over the same opponents on Saturday night in a performance that vividly illustrated just how much they've grown in stature.

Indeed, a fascinating aspect of this derby was that the Lions are undeniably a better team than the one that won so nobly against expectations in December 2021 and yet the reversal of fortunes were stark ... and that's just because John Dobson's troops are even more superior.

This was by no means a vintage showing from the defending champions.

AS IT HAPPENED | Stormers v Lions

There were far too many instances of niggly handling errors and some inaccuracy when points were on offer.

By the end of proceedings, the Stormers even had the minority of possession and territory, as well as missing 19 tackles and conceding 11 penalties.

And yet there was never any evidence that they'd relinquish their stranglehold on this match, thrillingly still winning the try six to one.

That's what champion teams do, they win matches even when they aren't quite at their best.

Some of the Stormers' tries were indeed a treat.

Damian Willemse threw a delicious dummy as early as the sixth minute after an incisive, flowing move from their own half, while Dan du Plessis' latching on a nifty pass from Paul de Wet was a textbook example of making use of early phase possession.

In between, the irrepressible Deon Fourie - who was familiarly pesky as breakdown scavenger - scored from a maul to again show the hosts aren't one-trick ponies.

In the second half, Man of the Match Hacjivah Dayimani proved the