Stormers show enough class to down Harlequins and book Champions Cup quarter-final spot

At Cape Town Stadium

The Stormers booked their spot in the Champions Cup quarter-finals with a 32-28 win over Harlequins in Cape Town on Saturday.

AS IT HAPPENED | Stormers v Harlequins 

The hosts scored five tries as they outclassed their English opponents for large parts. Flanker Deon Fourie scored a brace, while skipper Steven Kitshoff, fullback Damian Willemse and loose forward Willie Engelbrecht also dotted down.

The visitors responded with a brace from No 8 Alex Dombrandt, Springbok centre Andre Esterhuizen and winger Joe Marchant.

The 32-28 scoreline is not a true reflection of the match though, as the Stormers had led 32-7 after 75 minutes. But the visitors showed a never-say-die attitude to score three tries in the final five minutes to give themselves something to write home about.

For large parts, however, Harlequins will feel they ran into a brick wall on Saturday, with the Stormers not giving them an inch on their home ground.

Cape Town Stadium has become a fortress for the Stormers, who haven't lost at the ground since December 2021.

That record never really looked in danger in front of a 33 501-strong crowd.

?? Storming into the quarter-finals ??@THESTORMERS take down Harlequins 32-28 to move into the last 8 of the #HeinekenChampionsCup How far will they go? ?? pic.twitter.com/Y8JSfCzRxi

A high-octane start

The Stormers started like a house on fire when Fourie scored inside the first minute. He rounded off a great team try after the hosts had attacked from the kick-off. They caught Harlequins off guard with their intensity.

But Harlequins responded immediately after winning a penalty from the ensuing kick-off. They set up an attacking lineout from which Dombrandt scored off a driving maul.

Flyhalf Marcus Smith