Sikhumbuzo Notshe scored a hat-trick as the Stormers romped to a 53-10 bonus-point win over the Cheetahs at Newlands on Saturday. JON CARDINELLI reports.
The Stormers set the tempo from the outset. They dominated the collisions and sought to offload as much as possible. By the end of the first half, the hosts had scored three tries and amassed a 22-3 lead.
The decision to select Nico Lee on the wing backfired badly on the Cheetahs. The centre was beaten twice on his outside by Dillyn Leyds, and those errors cost the Cheetahs 10 points.
Forwards and backs combined brilliantly in the buildup to the Stormers' third try. SP Marais cut the Cheetahs defence and then found Notshe, who ran a good supporting line.
The Cheetahs were 22-3 down after 37 minutes, and already chasing the game. They turned down an opportunity to shoot for goal at the end of the first half, and their decision to kick for the touchline and set a lineout failed to yield any points.
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The visitors started to gather momentum in the early stages of the second stanza. Paul Schoeman scored after the Cheetahs set a maul and successfully drove it over the Stormers tryline.
But the Stormers quickly recovered. Rob du Preez – who contributed a total of 16 points on the day – regathered his own kick and then ran 40m to score. The game, as well as the try-scoring bonus point, appeared to be in the bag for the hosts.
The Stormers maintained their intensity in the final quarter. Captain Siya Kolisi had a strong game at the breakdown, and was rewarded for his efforts with a try. Notshe crossed the line for the second time shortly after that.
By contrast, the hapless Cheetahs continued to make mistakes. The visitors had the chance to score a consolation try late in the game, but a desperate cover tackle by Cheslin Kolbe led to Henco Venter spilling the ball over the tryline. That piece of play also served to highlight the Stormers' improved defence.
Kolbe's break in the dying moments allowed the Stormers to have the final say. The ball was moved to the right, and Notshe showed good strength to finish and claim his hat-trick.
The result sees the Stormers maintaining their unbeaten record and strengthening their position at the top of the Africa 1 conference log. The Cape side is now 13 points clear of the second-placed Cheetahs.
Stormers – Tries: Dillyn Leyds (2), Sikhumbuzo Notshe (3), Dan du Plessis, Rob du Preez, Siya Kolisi. Conversions: Du Preez (4), Kurt Coleman. Penalty: Du Preez.
Cheetahs – Try: Paul Schoeman. Conversion: Fred Zeilinga. Penalty: Zeilinga.
Stormers – 15 SP Marais, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 EW Viljoen, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Siya Kolisi (s), 6 Cobus Wiese, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Subs: 16 Ramone Samuels, 17 Caylib Oosthuizen, 18 Oli Kebble, 19 Chris van Zyl, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Dewaldt Duvenage, 22 Kurt Coleman, 23 Dan Kriel.
Cheetahs – 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Nico Lee, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Niel Marais, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Henco Venter, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Paul Schoeman, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Armandt Koster, 3 Johan Coetzee, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Charles Marais.
Subs: 16 Elandré Huggett, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Tom Botha, 19 Carl Wegner, 20 Niell Jordaan, 21 Tian Meyer, 22 Clinton Swart, 23 Luther Obi.
Photo: Carl Fourie/Gallo Images
