A missed conversion from flyhalf Manie Libbok denied the Stormers a last gasp victory and a chance to book a place in the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup in a thrilling encounter in extremely windy conditions at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday.
As a result defending Champions, La Rochelle, won the match by 22-21 and keep their hopes alive of winning a third consecutive title.
The Stormers started the game like a house on fire taking full advantage of the strong wind blowing in their favour in the first half. Both sides had 50% possession, but the home side made better use of their opportunities with two penalties from Libbok.
A counterattack launched by fullback Warrick Gelant and a break from Libbok resulted in a try for the Stormers scored by scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies in the 27th minute. Libbok added the extras to give the Stormers a deserved 13-0 lead at half time.
Libbok added another penalty to stretch the score to 16-0 after half-time. After going scoreless in the first 40 minutes, La Rochelle showed why they have been crowned champions for the past two years. The Fijian-born loose forward Levani Botia was once again a huge thorn in the flesh of the home side especially at the breakdowns where he affected crucial turnovers at critical times in the game. Gregory Aldritt, La Rocelle’s captain was also influential, not only with his leadership and strong carries, but his physicality in defensive situations played a huge role in his side’s second half resurgence.
With the strong wind favouring them in the second half, the massive visitors pack of forwards put their counterparts under huge pressure at the breakdowns. The Stormers were handed a crucial blow when they lost the services of their fetcher-flank Deon Fourie with a knee injury. The home side experienced further setbacks when they lost Fourie’s replacement Hacjivah Dayimani as well as the other loose forward Ben Jason Dixon. The biggest blow was perhaps the loss of their captain Salmaan Moerat who also took a head knock.
This disrupted their pack considerably with the defending champions taking full advantage of the situation. Tries by young loosehead prop Louis Penverne, captain Gregory Alldritt and replacement Argentinian prop Joel Sclavi saw the French-based side taking a 22-16 lead.
Defeat to the defending champions by the barest of margins. Thanks to all of you who came out to support us. #STOvSR #iamastormer #dhldelivers pic.twitter.com/FYtoIS7tyi
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) April 6, 2024
The Stormers showed great character by fighting back in the dying minutes through a try by wing Suleiman Hartzenberg after a trademark Libbok cross kick. Libbok was however unable to slot the conversion to win the game.
Coach John Dobson’s side will now have a week off in the quarter-final stage before returning to action in the Vodacom URC with a home game against Welsh side Ospreys on 20 March.
Scorers:
Stormers 21 (13)- Tries: Herschel Jantjies, Suleiman Hartzenberg, Conversion: Manie Libbok, Penalties: Libbok (3)
La Rochelle 22 (0) – Tries: Louis Penverne, Gregory Alldritt, Joel Scalvi Conversions: Antoine Hastoy (2) Penalty: Hastoy
