Wasteful Stormers go down to Munster, drop to third on URC standings

The Stormers are down to third spot on the URC standings after losing 26-24 to Munster in Cape Town on Saturday evening.

AS IT HAPPENED | Stormers v Munster

It was an uncharacteristically error-prone game by the Stormers, who lost a home game for the first time since December 2021.

They had won 19 times in a row at Cape Town Stadium but that record crumbled against a determined Munster. 

The Stormers went into the weekend second on the log, but Ulster's 40-19 win over the Dragons on Friday evening saw them move into second spot on 64 points - three ahead of the Stormers.

A try after the hooter by centre Ruhan Nel saw the Stormers claim two bonus-points but they are now third on the standings on 63 points, one behind Ulster.

After trailing 12-0 in the first half, the hosts had clawed their way back to level pegging. However, several errors in the second half saw them fail to capitalise. 

Stormers flyhalf Manie Libbok had a horror evening with the boot as he squandered several kicks at goal.

Both teams scored four tries but Munster's superior goal-kicking proved the difference.

The @THESTORMERS impeccable home record is no more! ??? @Munsterrugby have defeated the @THESTORMERS at the DHL Stadium! ??#BKTURC #URC | #STOvMUN pic.twitter.com/Htcyf9Arv3

Red-hot first quarter by Munster

The visitors from Ireland led 12-0 after 23 minutes courtesy of two driving maul tries by hooker Diarmuid Barron.

The first try came as early as the second minute when the hosts conceded a penalty from the kick-off. Munster's second try came just after the opening quarter - just after the Stormers lost winger Seabelo Senatla to a yellow card. 

Senatla went off for 10 minutes for a high tackle on Peter O'Mahony. There's wasn't much Senatla could do, though,