Stormers find groove to knock over table-topping Leinster in front of rocking Cape Town crowd

It was easily the biggest home crowd the Stormers have pulled this United Rugby Championship season, and why wouldn't it be? 

This, after all, was a top of the table clash against between the form side of the competition - the hosts - and one of the giants of European rugby in their Irish visitors from Leinster. 

AS IT HAPPENED | Stormers 21-13 Leinster

The looks on the faces of young children, awe-struck at being that close to their monstrous heroes, was a reminder of the magic that accompanies sizeable, passionate match-day crowds. 

That energy was palpable in the minutes leading up to kick off, and Cape Town Stadium erupted when the high-flying Stormers, led by Steven Kitshoff, stomped out onto the lush green turf.

The fans that came out were rewarded with a spirited second-half showing from the Stormers, who bounced back from a poor first 40 minutes to secure a 20-13 win. 

Leinster stay top of the log on 61 points, but Munster, the Sharks and the Stormers are all tied on 56 points and in a scrap for second place and semi-final home ground advantage with one round of fixtures remaining.

What it does mean, though, is that South African teams are now within grasp of hosting two quarter-finals. 

It wasn't always an easy game to watch, particularly in the first half, but this is very much a case of "job done" for the Stormers, who continue to finish games stronger than their opposition. 

It was almost the perfect start for the hosts, who thought they had scored inside the opening 40 seconds when Warrick Gelant put Ruhan Nel through to further spark the already fired up crowd. 

A TMO referral, however, revealed an obstruction in the build-up to the try, and the score was chalked off. 

In truth, that nearly moment was as good as it