Western Stormers of South Africa ended the last unbeaten record in the Super 15 this season by overcoming ACT Brumbies of Australia 35-22 at Newlands Saturday.
A tense tussle played in perfect conditions before a large crowd was settled six minutes from time when left wing Gerhard van den Heever scored an intercept try.
Making a rare start in place of injured Bryan Habana, former Northern Bull Van den Heever grasped a long pass from lock Peter Kimlin deep in Stormers’ territory and darted clear.
Full-back Joe Pietersen added the extra points to finish with 15 from three conversions and three penalties with the other tries coming from lock Andries Bekker (two) and right wing Gio Aplon.
Centre Christian Lealiifano kept Brumbies in the hunt until that fateful moment with flawless goal kicking, landing five penalties and converting a try from right wing Henry Speight.
Stormers led 22-10 at half-time, but were only three points ahead seven minutes from time before a Pietersen penalty doubled the advantage and then Van den Heever struck.
After losses at Bulls and Coastal Sharks, Stormers have bounced back at home by defeating defending champions Waikato Chiefs of New Zealand and table toppers Brumbies in consecutive matches to stand eighth on the combined standings.
Although unable to match the superb performance that routed Sharks in Durban last weekend for a fourth win on the trot, the Jake White-coached Brumbies are two points ahead of Chiefs.
“It was another awesome day for us,” said beaming Stormers captain and centre Jean de Villiers. “As we knew Brumbies were a quality side and our team were up for the challenge.”
Brumbies skipper and flank Ben Mowen said: “We return to Australia reasonably happy with our tour and it does not get any easier next weekend when we face a Bulls team hurting after two successive losses.”
Tries by Aplon and Bekker gave Stormers a 12-point advantage midway through the opening half, Speight narrowed the gap after a burst through the middle and man-of-the-match Bekker barged over just before the break.
The accuracy of Lealiifano chipped away at Stormers’ advantage and his fifth penalty 10 minutes from time left the home team hanging on to a 25-22 lead before they bagged a late 10-point haul to secure a bonus-point triumph.
Stormers inflict first defeat on Brumbies
