The Stormers and Leinster drew in Dublin. Photo: Twitter.
A Springbok-laden Stormers team played to a 22-all draw against Leinster at the RDS arena in Dublin on Friday evening.
Admittedly, in rugby a draw is compared to a sister-kiss moment, but the Capetians can be proud of this result; it doesn’t happen every day that Leinster don’t walk off the field victorious.
The Irish giants’ last defeat was in last year’s United Rugby Championship semi-final against a spirited Bulls team and even if they were now without their Six Nations stars, they are still formidable opponents.
After all, they are playing on their home ground and they are hands down the leaders in the HRC standings.
Yet it was the visitors who waved the scepter in the first half.
The Springbok front row of Steven Kitshoff, Joseph Dweba and Frans Malherbe ensured that the Capetians stood their ground in the scrum, while Manie Libbok was again at his creative best.
The 25-year-old fly-half scored the Stormers’ first try after his fake-you-here-fake-you-there run had the Leinster defenders gasping for air, while also sending Suleiman Hartzenberg away to score his side’s second to print three of the half.
????️ Need for speed#LEIvSTO #iamastorms #dhldelivers @Vodacom #URC pic.twitter.com/EsYnb5HxBQ
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) March 24, 2023
In the blink of an eye, the Stormers built up a well-deserved 17-0 lead and their supporters finally had an answer to Jo Black’s question: They knew what hope was.
But Leinster are not the top team in the competition for nothing and they scored directly before and after the break.
Barely 20 minutes had passed in the second half when they suddenly took a 22-17 lead.
In addition, Hartzenberg received a yellow card and the Capetians had to face their opponents for a while with only 14 players on the field.
However, Libbok had other plans and his cross-kick bounced just right for a flying Clayton Blommetjies.
The ???? in this team. #LEIvSTO #iamastorms #dhldelivers @Vodacom #URC pic.twitter.com/iXSVfpZJUf
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) March 24, 2023
Yes, the home team’s Harry Byrne missed a few of his set-piece attempts, but the Cape team can keep their heads up.
They have achieved something that not many teams in Dublin manage to do.
Stormers: Tries: Manie Libbok, Suleiman Hartzenberg and Clayton Blommetjies. Goals: Libbok (2). Penalty kick: Libbok.
Leinster: Tries: Michael Milne, Scott Penny, Robb Russell and Max Deegan. Goal kick: Harry Byrne.
???? | The key stats from the #LEIvSTO game brought to you by @LayaHealthcare#ABeatAhead #LeinsterRugby pic.twitter.com/9TCSXo3Mxi
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) March 24, 2023
- Leinster: 74 points
- Stormers: 61 points
- Ulster: 54 points
- Glasgow Warriors: 49 points
- Munster: 47 points
- Bulls: 43 points
- Sharks: 41 points
- Connacht: 39 points
- Cardiff: 39 points
- Benetton: 38 strikers
- Lions: 33 points
- Edinburgh: 32 points
- Ospreys: 30 points
- Scarlets: 29 points
- Dragons: 19 points
- Zebra: 10 points
