Stormers storm to glory: 35-0 Shutout stuns defending URC champions Leinster

After a lukewarm start to the first half, the Stormers turned on the magic after the halftime whistle with a brilliant team performance to dispatch Leinster comfortably in the opening game of the new United Rugby Championship (URC) season.

The inaugural winners showcased their class by scoring four tries to cruise to a 35-0 bonus-point victory in front of their home crowd at the DHL Stadium.

Despite missing several key players through injury and international duty, the Stormers kicked off their new era in style, entertaining the almost 20 000 supporters who came out on a warm Friday evening.

It took about 45 minutes to register the first try of the URC season, after two were chalked off in the first half. Scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer eventually broke the Leinster dam wall under the posts, extending the lead to 16-0 after going into the break just 6-0 up.

A maul try ruled out for obstruction and a brilliant backline move finished by fullback Wandisile Simelane didn’t yield points in the first forty. Still, the Cape side never gave up and kept fighting, despite some squandered chances caused by early-season rust.

The Irish giants never looked like defending champions. They lost numerous lineouts, with hooker Gus McCarthy struggling to find his jumpers, while the Stormers competed brilliantly to steal ball. Leinster’s scrum also came under pressure from the youthful Vernon Matongo and veteran tighthead Neethling Fouché.

Leinster rarely entered attacking positions in the first half, and while they made a few clean breaks after the break, the Stormers’ scramble defence shut them down. Copping two yellow cards in the second half also set them back massively.

Two powerful maul tries from eighthman Evan Roos and debutant replacement Ruan Ackermann, along with a brilliant break and finish in the corner from flyhalf Jurie Matthee, sealed the rout. Matthee impressed in the absence of senior flyhalves, scoring 20 points himself, though he left 14 on the tee.

The Stormers will be delighted with their dominant display against the champions. Not only do they have a first win in the bag against a top side, but they also maintained their unbeaten home record against Leinster.

The scrum was strong, with Matongo holding his own against Rabah Slimani and Fouché bossing the set-piece against the looseheads. The entire pack deserved credit for their dominance, while at the back, winger Seabelo Senatla, Simelane, and captain Ruhan Nel shone brightly.

Director of Rugby John Dobson will be satisfied with the performance, particularly given their recent struggles to start seasons strongly.

Points scorers

Stormers 35 (6): Tries: Stefan Ungerer, Evan Roos, Ruan Ackermann, Jurie Matthee. Conversions: Matthee (3). Penalties: Matthee (3). Leinster 0.