Stormers deliver late knockout blow to Ulster

Ulster lost their URC semi-final in the most dramatic fashion with a late converted try sending the DHL Stormers into the final against the Vodacom Bulls.

Having been knocked out of Europe thanks to a late Toulouse score in April, Dan McFarland's side were once again out of luck after leading for most of the encounter in Cape Town.

All of the scores came in a high-quality first half except for the winning try and conversion in the last play of the game.

Ulster, who were bidding to get to their third final, were holding on to a 15-10 lead against a home team that had been reduced to 14 men in the 70th minute following an Adre Smith red card.

However, the energy expended over the course of the game eventually told and Warrick Gelant’s late try, which was converted by Manie Libbok in the 86th minute, sent the home supporters wild.

With the Stormers also eyeing a home final, they burst out of the blocks and had crossed twice before Ulster had a chance to update their clocks to the local time.

James Hume got turned over by fit-again Damian Willemse and Manie Libbok's kick provided the platform for the forwards to do their work, hooker JJ Kotze getting the touchdown after a driving maul.

The out-half missed the extras but when Billy Burns’ restart went straight out the hosts had the momentum.

When they worked another lineout on the Ulster 22, scrum-half Herschel Jantjies worked a one-two with Springboks hopeful Evan Roos and the number 8 had an easy run-in.

Evan Roos doubles the Stormers lead against Ulster #RTERugby #STOvULS pic.twitter.com/o3ABjdYzJJ

Ulster looked spooked but responded with Robert Baloucoune getting on the end of a Stewart Moore pass to finish, the score awarded after a quick check for a forward pass.

"Flat," said