The DHL Stormers XXIII claimed a last-gasp 25-19 win against defending champions Suzuki Griquas in their first-ever Carling Currie Cup match at DHL Stadium on Friday night.
It was a grandstand finish as a late try sealed a hard-fought win for the Cape Town side, to make a winning start to their campaign.
The DHL Stormers XXIII started with real intent and took an early lead through a penalty converted by captain Jean-Luc du Plessis.
The visitors converted their first visit to the 22 into points as centre Sako Makata went over for a try after they had camped on the tryline for multiple phases.
The home side were being blown up regularly by the referee and yellow cards for Gerbrandt Grobler and Cornel Smit saw them reduced to 13.
The Kimberley side took advantage with a try from front row forward Lourens Oosthuizen, but the DHL Stormers XXIII had the final say before half-time.
After returning to a full 15 players, the hosts went into the 22 where a clever line-out move saw hooker Vernon Paulo power over to reduce Suzuki Griquas lead at the break to 12-8.
The home side took the lead early in the second half as Mfundo Ndhlovu slid into the corner after Smit had broken the line. Dominic Malgas was on for Du Plessis and slotted the touchline conversion, then added a penalty shortly afterwards.
The visitors went back in front with a maul try from flank Carl Els, but the DHL Stormers XXIII had the final say as scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer dummied to go through for the winning try and seal the win.
The scorers:
For DHL Stormers XXIII:
Tries: Paulo, Ndhlovu, Ungerer
Cons: Malgas 2
Pens: Du Plessis, Malgas
For Suzuki Griquas:
Tries: Makata, Oosthuizen, Els
Cons: Whitehead 2
DHL Stormers XXIII: 15 Dylan Miller, 14 Gino Cupido, 13 Josh Boulle, 12 Cornel Smit, 11 Mfundo Ndhlovu, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis (captain), 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Wandile Mlaba, 7 Divan Fuller, 6 Keke Morabe, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Tom Barnard, 3 Herman Lubbe, 2 Vernon Paulo, 1 Oli Kebble.
Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Mhleli Khuzwayo, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Dylan de Leeuw, 20 Enos Ndiao, 21 Xola Nyali, 22 Tiaan Fourie, 23 Dominic Malgas.
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