Mixed fortunes for SA teams as Vodacom URC returns
The DHL Stormers consolidated their spot at the top of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship log after they pulled off a stunning comeback win over Munster in Limerick, the Lions beat the Vodacom Bulls in a Jukskei Derby in Pretoria, and the Hollywoodbets Sharks’ struggled continue as they fell to Connacht in Galway.
Playing with renewed energy after the international break, the Lions outplayed their Gauteng neighbours by 43-33 at Loftus Versfeld, with only a late flurry of tries making the score more respectable for the hosts.
The DHL Stormers were behind against Munster after a lukewarm first half, but a tactical switch early in the second half immediately delivered the desired effect as they grew in confidence to eventually seal the deal late in game to win 27-21 after denying the Irish any points in the second spell.
The KwaZulu-Natalians lost 44-17 away to Connacht after they struggled to get a foothold on the game early on.
Following the sixth round fixtures played over the weekend, the DHL Stormers are the only unbeaten side left in the Championship and they lead the standings on 27 points, with the Lions moving up to seventh place with 16 points, one more than the Vodacom Bulls, who are in eighth. The Hollywoodbets Sharks dropped to 14th on eight league points.
Lions shock Vodacom Bulls in Loftus thriller
In their first Vodacom URC outing following the international break, the Lions produced a stunning performance to shock the Vodacom Bulls 43-33 at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday afternoon.
What was expected to be a routine victory for the home side turned into a showcase of clinical finishing by the visitors, who leapfrogged their Gauteng rivals into seventh place on the log.
The visitors wasted no time asserting their dominance, racing to a 17-0 lead early in the first half. After Chris Smith opened the scoring with a penalty goal, the Lions punished a disjointed Vodacom Bulls defence.
Kelly Mpeku capitalized on a loose ball to sprint clear for the opening try, followed shortly by Nico Steyn finishing off a flowing move sparked by a break by Smith.
The Vodacom Bulls finally found their rhythm midway through the half. Embrose Papier grabbed a quick-fire brace, twice finishing off moves that exposed the Lions on the edges to bring the hosts back into contention.
However, just as momentum seemed to shift, a defensive error allowed the Lions to strike back through Jarod Cairns. A late first-half maul try by Akker van der Merwe narrowed the gap, leaving the visitors ahead by 24-21 at the break.
However, any hopes of a Vodacom Bulls turnaround were dashed in the second half as the Lions’ pack took control. Etienne Oosthuizen powered over from a driving maul to extend the lead, and the visitors continued to exploit the hosts’ handling errors and defensive lapses.
The result was effectively sealed in a two-minute blitz when Eduan Keyter crossed the whitewash and Steyn grabbed his second, stretching the scoreline to an unassailable margin.
While the Vodacom Bulls managed two late consolation tries through Keagan Johannes and Sebastian de Klerk, it was not enough.
Scorers:
Vodacom Bulls 33 (21) – Tries: Embrose Papier (2), Akker van der Merwe, Keagan Johannes, Sebastian de Klerk. Conversions: Johannes (4).
Lions 43 (24) – Tries: Nico Steyn (2), Kelly Mpeku, Jarod Cairns, Etienne Oosthuizen, Eduan Keyter. Conversions: Chris Smith (5). Penalty goal: Smith.
DHL Stormers’ tactical masterstroke secures brilliant win over Munster
The DHL Stormers staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Munster 27-21 in a top-of-the-table Vodacom URC clash in Limerick on Saturday evening, achieving this crucial victory after overturning a 21-6 halftime deficit, showcasing the Capetonians’ resilience and tactical adaptability.
The first half proved challenging for the visitors, as Munster capitalised on their opportunities to establish a commanding lead. The Irish province demonstrated strong attacking capabilities, dominating possession and territory to put the DHL Stormers under considerable pressure.
However, a pivotal tactical decision by DHL Stormers coach John Dobson immediately after halftime proved instrumental. The introduction of his “Bomb Squad” – a fresh contingent of forwards from the bench – dramatically altered the game’s momentum. These strategic substitutions invigorated the visitors’ pack, leading to increased physicality and control at the set-piece and breakdown.
While both teams ultimately scored three tries, the accurate kicking of Jurie Matthee, who successfully converted two crucial first-half penalty goals, provided the decisive points between two otherwise evenly matched sides.
Matthee’s composed performance continued into the second half, guiding the team behind an increasingly dominant forward unit. He executed a precise cross-field kick-pass, enabling Dylan Maart to score on his debut. The shift in momentum was further emphasised when Ruhan Nel intercepted a pass to score under the posts, propelling the DHL Stormers into the lead.
Munster, demonstrating their pedigree, launched an immediate counter-attack that resulted in their fourth try, which was overturned by the TMO. The DHL Stormers then expertly managed the final moments of the game, securing a memorable away win.
Former Junior Bok captain and loose forward, Paul de Villiers, delivered another outstanding performance. His relentless work at the breakdown was critical to the DHL Stormers’ second-half resurgence, earning him a deserved Man of the Match award.
Scorers:
Munster 21 (21) – Tries: Tadhg Beirne, John Hodnett, Jack Crawley. Conversions: Crawley (3).
DHL Stormers 27 (6) – Tries: Adre Smith, Dylan Maart, Ruhan Nel. Conversions: Jurie Matthee (3). Penalty goals: Matthee (2).
Connacht inflict fourth loss on Hollywoodbets Sharks
The Hollywoodbets Sharks’ challenging Vodacom URC campaign continued as they succumbed to a comprehensive 44-17 defeat against Connacht at the Dexcom Stadium in Galway on Saturday night.
This result marked the Durban-based franchise’s fourth loss, highlighting persistent struggles to find winning form in the competition.
By halftime, Connacht had established a commanding 23-5 lead, leaving the Durbanites with a significant deficit to overcome. Their only points in the first half came from a Fez Mbatha try.
Paul Boyle, Chay Mullins and Sean Naughton scored first half tries for Connacht in a commanding performance before the break.
The Durbanites did improve slightly in the second half and twice through Makazole Mapimpi and Emile van Heerden. Further tries by Matthew Devine and Sam Illo meant Connacht were never threatened.
Scorers:
Connacht 44 (23) – Tries: Chay Mullins, Hugh Gavin, Matthew Devine, Sam Illo. Conversions: Sean Naughton (5). Penalty goals: Naughton (3).
Hollywoodbets Sharks 17 (5) – Tries: Fez Mbatha, Makazole Mapimpi, Emile van Heerden. Conversion: Jordan Hendrikse.
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