Stormers launch URC defence with victory in Stellenbosch after Aki sees red

At Danie Craven Stadium

The South African rugby spotlight on Saturday is firmly on Durban and the Springboks' final Rugby Championship clash against Argentina, but on the opposite end of the country, the Stormers started their United Rugby Championship title defence with a 38-15 bonus point victory over Connacht in Stellenbosch. 

It was far from crisp or clinical at times - though there were still glimpses of what makes this side such a force in this competition - but the result will be all that matters to coach John Dobson at this early stage. 

The scoreline suggests it was a comfortable outing for the champions, but it was anything but, and it was ultimately Bandee Aki's second half red card that allowed the Stormers to find their attacking rhythm and finish the match strongly. 

The Stormers had threatened to get away from Connacht in the first half after a jaw-dropping moment of physicality from Evan Roos helped them to a 13-3 lead, but they were stretched late in the opening stanza and were reduced to 14 men before Connacht hit back with a rolling maul try to close the gap to 13-8 at the break. 

The hosts enjoyed a lively start, with new recruit Clayton Blommetjies seeing a lot of early ball, but it was No 8 Roos who brought Danie Craven Stadium alive when he took a gap at pace and then absolutely steamrolled Connacht left wing Mackenzie Hansen. 

A player rated so incredibly highly in these parts and considered to have a bright international future, Roos finished off down the left flank before Manie Libbok converted to give the hosts a 7-0 lead. 

Connacht were on the board shortly after that when flyhalf Conor Fitzgerald nudged over a penalty, but Libbok had the Stormers back out to 10-3 with a goal of his own from a