Damian Willemse starred in his fiftieth look whereas Seabelo Senatla scored a hat-trick because the Stormers thrashed Zebre in Stellenbosch to finish an ideal weekend for South African groups within the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.
The 55-7 victory noticed the Stormers be a part of the Vodacom Bulls, Lions and Sharks in successful their first house fixtures towards abroad opponents.
John Dobson’s staff has climbed again into the playoff spots, leapfrogging the Bulls and Connacht into eighth place.
Enjoying of their first match on the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch, the Stormers set the sphere alight in a first-half onslaught which noticed the hosts rating 5 of their 9 tries within the match.
It was a very special occasion for Willemse. The 23-year-old, schooled down the street from the stadium at Paul Roos, celebrated his fiftieth cap with one other superior efficiency.
Willemse performed at inside centre within the first half, earlier than switching to fullback within the second, as Warrick Gelant was changed at half-time. He seemed snug in each roles, scoring a well-taken attempt within the first half when he noticed a spot within the defence and turned on the afterburners.
Damian Willemse scores on hia fiftieth! @Vodacom #URC pic.twitter.com/RWiiudXMOv
— SA Rugby journal (@SARugbymag) March 13, 2022
It was additionally a memorable night for Senatla. The second of his three tries was the choose of the lot, as he attacked from damaged play, chipped over the defence and gained the race to floor the ball over the road.
Having taken a 33-0 lead into the break, the Stormers would have been cautious of complacency coming into their recreation within the second half. That is particularly as, within the first week of the season, Zebre fought again from being 35-0 right down to the Lions at half-time to attain 26 unanswered factors.
It appeared as if the Italians had been getting again into the match in the same method in Stellenbosch when former Southern Kings centre Erich Cronje dotted down flyhalf Carlo Canna’s kick behind the Stormers defence.
Nevertheless, the Stormers composed themselves and Seabelo Senatla and Leolin Zas each scored their second tries in fast succession. Issues went from unhealthy to worse for Zebre after they misplaced wing Asaeli Tuivuaka to a pink card for a harmful sort out.
The Stormers took full benefit as Ntubeni, again on the sphere as an damage alternative for Andre-Hugo Venter, scored his second earlier than Senatla sped away for his first Stormers hat-trick to convey up the half-centry of factors.
Photograph: EJ Langner/Gallo Photos
