Lions vs Stormers final time out: John Dobson’s facet have been two factors away from the Sharks and the Bulls earlier than kick-off and ensured they remained on the summit due to their win in Johannesburg on 12 February 2022.
Former Lion Hacjivah Dayimani touched down to offer the Stormers a 10-3 lead at half-time earlier than Seabelo Senatla and Sergeal Petersen added a pair of wonderful workforce tries within the second interval and Deon Fourie acquired their fourth late on.
Manie Libbok kicked 12 factors for the guests at Ellis Park whereas the Lions regarded like having to accept a single penalty from the boot of Tiaan Swanepoel till Morne van den Berg produced a late comfort attempt, transformed by the returning Jordan Hendrikse.
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The Lions stay rooted to the foot of the South African Shield and two locations off the underside of the general desk.
Both sides journey to Ireland in a fortnight, with the Stormers visiting Connacht and the Lions taking over Leinster in Dublin.
After an early choice to kick for the nook did not convey any reward, the Stormers pointed to the posts at their subsequent penalty and Libbok duly put the sport’s first factors on the board.
The Lions pulled degree after 20 minutes with a Swanepoel penalty in entrance of the posts.
Both sides, to their credit score, regarded to play a high-tempo sport early on, making for an entertaining spectacle, and the Stormers started to make inroads within the second quarter.
Brok Harris was held up over the road after 27 minutes earlier than Dayimani carved a route via the Lions defence to attain the sport’s first attempt below the posts.
Libbok added a routine conversion after which a penalty after the interval, with the latter taking a spark off the within of the left-hand upright on its means over.
There was much more daylight between the perimeters three minutes later when Senatla completed off a formidable workforce transfer for his fifth URC attempt of the season.
Libbok’s conversion strayed proper of the goal however he made no mistake when Petersen completed off a speedy Stormers assault, taking the rating to 25-3.
Fourie pounced on a Warrick Gelant grubber kick to safe the bonus level eight minutes from time, with Libbok splitting the posts as soon as extra, and Van den Berg’s subsequent rating was too little too late.
Player of the match
For the second week operating, the person honour went to 35-year-old flanker Fourie.
On high of his attempt, Fourie placed on a tackling clinic and took the sting out of a Lions assault within the closing phases of the primary half with a turnover that helped protect his facet’s lead on the break.
Play of the match
The Stormers, particularly, performed with ambition in Johannesburg and after they clicked it was a pleasure to behold.
Their third attempt was the choose of the bunch. Gelant broke the road in his personal half, Damian Willemse gained some priceless territory and Paul de Wet styled out an ankle faucet earlier than sending Petersen racing for the road.
Team News
Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen named Vincent Tshituka on the flank and Burger Odendaal at inside centre for his or her outing in opposition to the Stormers, with Jordan Hendrikse additionally again from damage which may see him function from the replacements bench.
“As a group we felt our overall attitude and intensity went up a notch against the Bulls,” mentioned Van Rooyen. “It’s the kind of momentum we’re eager to take into Saturday on the back of a positive week of training.”
Stormers coach John Dobson made three modifications to his backline, with Sergeal Petersen beginning on the fitting wing, Damian Willemse at inside centre and Paul de Wet at scrumhalf, whereas Angelo Davids, Dan du Plessis and Herschel Jantjies are all set to make an influence from the replacements bench.
“Playing mid-afternoon in February up in Joburg we know that we will have to be switched-on and accurate for 80 minutes,” mentioned Dobson. “We want to build on what we have done in the last few weeks and will be giving it everything to get what would be an incredibly valuable win on the road.”
Lions vs Stormers: Match info
Lions vs Stormers
Date: Saturday, 12 February
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
SA Time: 15:00
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
TV: SuperSport
Stream: DStv Now