Stormers overpower Blues

It was the seventh win of the season for the Stormers and their second against New Zealand opposition having beaten the Chiefs at Newlands earlier in the season.

The Stormers struck first with a penalty from fullback SP Marais and received a further boost when the visitors were reduced to 14 men as wing Matt Duffie was shown a yellow card.

However, the Stormers also lost a player to the sin bin shortly afterwards when Eben Etzebeth was shown a yellow card following a scuffle off the ball.

The Blues took that opportunity to go over for the opening try, with centre George Moala bursting over to score.

They followed that up with another try from skipper James Parson who went over in the corner to make it 12-3.

The Stormers kept their composure and showed good patience to score on the stroke of half-time with captain Siya Kolisi powering his way over next to the poles to cut the Blues lead to 12-10 at the break.

The Blues were first to strike in the second half with flank Blake Gibson going over to give them a 19-10 buffer.

The Stormers brought themselves back within range through a Marais penalty and they were back in front before long as Dillyn Leyds showed great awareness to take a quick tap and dive over to score after the hosts had shown great patience in the opposition 22.

The Blues were struck a further blow when Duffie was show his second yellow card, which saw them play out the rest of the game with 14 men.

The Stormers duly took advantage as replacement loose forward Sikhumbuzo Notshe forced his way over for a third try on the back of a powerful carry from Damian de Allende which put them 27-19 ahead with 10 minutes left.

The Blues hit back with a penalty from replacement flyhalf Bryn Gatland, but the Stormers responded with two more penalties of their own from Marais which sealed the hard-fought victory

The scorers:

For Stormers:

Tries: Kolisi, Leyds, Notshe

Cons: Marais 3

Pens: Marais 3

For Blues:

Tries: Moala, Parsons, Gibson

Cons: Francis 2

Pen: Gatland