WATCH | Stormers crowned SA Shield champions after thrilling win in Wales: 'It means a lot'

The Stormers have been crowned the South African Shield champions in the United Rugby Championship (URC) after beating Scarlets in Llanelli on Saturday.

Ruhan Nel's last-minute try was enough to secure the Capetonians a 26-21 win, which seems them finish as the highest-placed South African team on the log. 

The Stormers, Bulls and Sharks have all progressed through to the quarter-finals of the competition and while those fixtures will be finalised later on Saturday, the South African Shield standings are now finalised. 

"To be, after 18 games, the best team in South Africa at this level means a lot to the group," coach John Dobson said after the match. 

"We've been in the media for bad news over a few years, and for some remarkable people like Steven Kitshoff, Scarra Ntubeni, Frans Malherbe, Damian Willemse - guys that have stayed loyal to us - it is could pay back for them.

"It means a lot, but in the dressing room the guys know that we've got an important couple of weeks coming up. It's nowhere near a feeling of 'job done' yet."

Final SA Shield standings (18 fixtures each):

1. Stormers - 61 pts (12 wins, 2 draws, 4 losses)

2. Bulls - 58 points (11 wins, 7 losses)

3. Sharks - 57 points (11 wins, 1 draw, 6 losses)

4. Lions - 41 points (8 wins, 10 losses)

DHL STORMERS ARE THE SOUTH AFRICAN SHIELD CHAMPIONS ??Home Play-Off ?8 Wins Back-To-Back ?#URC | #URCShowdown | #SCAvSTO | @THESTORMERS pic.twitter.com/ttYqSiPLtP