Stormers into URC top-eight with bonus-point win over Scarlets

The match kicked off with both teams looking to assert themselves physically, but it was the visitors who struck first in the 15th minute with a brilliant team try finished off by Ben Loader. A failed conversion by Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu left the score at 5-0.

Three minutes later, the Stormers extended their lead with a scintillating team try, showcasing slick passing and quick movement and finished off by veteran loose forward Deon Fourie. This time, Feinberg-Mngomezulu converted, putting the visitors ahead 12-0.

The Scarlets eventually responded in the 30th minute when Ellis Mee finished off a well-worked attack to touch down in the corner. Ioan Lloyd added the extras with a stunning conversion, narrowing the deficit to 12-7. However, the Stormers continued to apply pressure and were rewarded just before halftime with a penalty kick from Feinberg-Mngomezulu to make it 15-7 at the break.

Scarlets prop Alec Hepburn also received a yellow card just before the whistle sounded, leaving the hosts with 14 men heading into the second half.

Despite being a man down, the Scarlets started the second half strongly, and their persistence paid off when Ioan Nicholas crashed over in the 47th minute. Lloyd's conversion brought the home side back to within one point at 15-14, setting up a tense final 30 minutes.

The Stormers, however, responded in style. Leolin Zas produced a moment of individual brilliance in the 65th minute, slicing through multiple defenders to score under the posts. Feinberg-Mngomezulu's successful conversion stretched the lead to 22-14.

The Scarlets kept their hopes alive with a penalty from Lloyd in the 69th minute to get back to within five points, but the Stormers had the final say.

With just two minutes left, Andre-Hugo Venter powered over for the bonus-point try to seal the victory. Feinberg-Mngomezulu converted from out wide, and was named Man of the Match shortly after to celebrate his return from injury in fine fashion.

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