CAPE TOWN – The Stormers booked their place in the United Rugby Championship (URC) semi-finals with a dominant 44-21 victory over Cardiff Rugby in front of 30,595 supporters at DHL Stadium on Saturday.
The visitors threatened early, twice earning penalties deep inside Stormers territory within the opening eight minutes. However, the home side’s defence stood firm to keep Cardiff scoreless.
After several near misses, including a promising rolling maul and a clever grubber kick from Stormers flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu that narrowly evaded Seabelo Senatla, Cardiff struck first in the 18th minute. A costly Stormers mistake was punished as fullback Cam Winnett intercepted a pass and raced away for a converted try to hand the Welsh side a 7-0 lead.
The Stormers responded strongly. Hooker Andre-Hugo Venter crossed from a rolling maul in the 23rd minute before Feinberg-Mngomezulu added the extras to level matters.
Five minutes later, prop Ntuthuko Mchunu continued his impressive form by powering over from a lineout move to put the hosts 14-7 ahead.
Cardiff’s problems worsened when prop Keiron Assiratti received a yellow card for illegal scrummaging, and the Stormers took full advantage. Winger Leolin Zas finished superbly in the corner after receiving a pass from full back Damian Willemse to secure the hosts’ third try and a 21-7 halftime lead.
Incredible pace from Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu 💨
Catch the Quarter-Finals, LIVE on Super Sport 📺@Vodacom #URC | #STOVCAR pic.twitter.com/FipjTvgLLy
— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) May 30, 2026
Cardiff showed renewed intent after the break as Taine Basham crossed to reduce the deficit to 21-14. But John Dobson’s side quickly restored control when Feinberg-Mngomezulu capitalised on an error from Cardiff flyhalf Ioan Lloyd to score a crucial try.
James Botham’s maul try kept Cardiff in contention at 26-21, but the Stormers’ forward pack proved decisive. Paul de Villiers dotted down from another powerful maul before replacement flyhalf Jurie Matthee added a penalty to stretch the lead.
Cardiff’s hopes faded further when Javan Sebastian was shown a yellow card for collapsing a maul, and the Stormers sealed an emphatic victory through substitute JJ Kotze’s late try. Matthee added the conversion and another penalty as the Cape side marched into the URC semi-finals in impressive fashion.
A big win at home to book our place in a @Vodacom #URC Semi-Final. #STOvCAR #inittogether pic.twitter.com/n7jiWu5BRM
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) May 30, 2026
Image: Phando Jikelo
