Stormers hold off Lions to stay unbeaten

by | Dec 21, 2025 | African Golf News

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The Stormers fought back from an early 10-point deficit to defeat the Lions at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

The hosts trailed 17-10 at the break before their bench provided the expected impact to help clinch a 34-27 bonus-point victory.

It extends the Stormers’ winning start to the Vodacom URC season to seven.

John Dobson’s men were rocked straight from the kick-off when No 8 Evan Roos knocked on to hand possession to the Lions. Barely 40 seconds later, Lions flanker Ruan Venter crashed over and flyhalf Chris Smith added the extras.

A lineout infringement by Roos then gave Smith the chance to extend the lead to 10 with a penalty goal.

But out of nowhere, the Stormers suddenly fired and from a series of attacks, fullback Warrick Gelant and flanker Paul de Villiers combined well to send winger Dylan Maart scampering away down the right touchline to bring the crowd to life.

However, the Lions were by far the more cohesive unit and a sustained attack saw prop SJ Kotze agonisingly drop the ball as he stretched for the tryline on 32 minutes.

A rare Stormers foray into the Lions 22 then saw the home side given a penalty which Jurie Matthee knocked over to bring the scores level shortly before half-time.

The Stormers’ kick-off receipts resembled a horror show in the first half and another spilled catch saw them give away another needless penalty. The Lions opted for a lineout and Venter crashed over for his second, with Smith nailing the conversion.

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The Lions started the second half as they ended the first – on the front foot. However, a desperately unlucky bounce of the ball from a Quan Horne kick saw the Stormers turn and go the other way. Simelane finished off a devastating counter and Matthee converted to bring the scores level after barely a minute of the half played.

The Stormers unleashed their Bomb Squad on 46 minutes and the momentum shift was immediate. A slew of penalties saw the hosts opt for a lineout drive and Man of the Match Paul de Villiers crashed over for the Stormers’ third try.

Smith and Matthee then traded penalties before obstruction saw a Ntuthuko Mchunu try disallowed. But the Stormers pressure was relentless and moments later Roos crashed over from another lineout maul. A faultless Matthee slotted the extras for a 34-20 lead.

However, a Stormers mistake saw the Lions capitalise with a converted Kelly Mpeku try which brought the Lions within a score and gave them hope.

The Lions mounted a late rally but a brilliant steal by Roos in front of his posts snuffed out the challenge and kept the Stormers’ unbeaten run going.

STORMERS – Tries: Dylan Maart, Wandisile Simelane, Paul de Villiers, Evan Roos. Conversions: Jurie Matthee (4). Penalties: Matthee (2).
LIONS – Tries: Ruan Venter (2), Kelly Mpeku. Conversions: Chris Smith (3). Penalties: Smith (2).

Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images

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