The DHL Stormers went down 33-21 in an entertaining clash with New Zealand at DHL Stadium on Friday night.
It was an impressive effort from the DHL Stormers, who were in the game until the last 15 minutes until several injuries to key players saw the international side score some late tries to inflate their score.
The visitors struck first as they claimed advantage in the 22 and made use of it, with hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho scoring from a maul.
The DHL Stormers were not to be deterred and marched straight into opposition territory with a strong maul of their own.
New Zealand centre Anton Lienert-Brown was shown a yellow card for a high tackle on Jonny Roche and his teammate Simon Parker shortly afterwards, after an infringement at a maul.
The DHL Stormers took advantage after an initial maul try by Andre-Hugo Venter was disallowed, but made sure at the second attempt, with veteran flank Deon Fourie going over.
The conversion by debutant flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed levelled matters, and it looked like they would go into half-time deadlocked, but a try from Parker just before the break saw New Zealand claim a 14-7 advantage.
The home side came out firing in the second half and were back on level terms when Seabelo Senatla burst through from a set move to score under the poles.
Injuries to Dewaldt Duvenage and captain Ruhan Nel forced the DHL Stormers to juggle their resources, with Senatla playing scrumhalf and flank Hacjivah Dayimani moving to the wing.
New Zealand managed to take advantage by scoring a string of tries, although the hosts never stopped fighting and were awarded a penalty try when Warrick Gelant was tackled high in the act of scoring.
The end scoreline flattered the visitors somewhat after an entertaining game that saw the enthusiastic crowd engaged throughout.
The scorers:
For DHL Stormers:
Tries: Fourie, Senatla, penalty try
Cons: Ahmed 2
For New Zealand:
Tries: Taukei’aho, Parker, Ioane, Carter, Moorby, Aumua
Cons: Barrett 3, Jacomb
DHL Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel (captain), 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Yaqeen Ahmed, 9 Imad Khan, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Connor Evans, 4 Adré Smith, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Vernon Matongo.
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotzé, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Herman Lubbe, 19 Ruan Ackermann, 20 Keke Morabe, 21 Wandile Mlaba, 22 Dewaldt Duvenage, 23 Wandisile Simelane.
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