The struggling Stormers edged the Highlanders 29-28 in Super Rugby on Saturday, helped by three rare tries by props.
Starting tighthead Frans Malherbe scored two, his first tries in Super Rugby, and replacement front-rower Oliver Kebble one to see the Stormers squeak home for just a third win in 10 games this season.
Winger Damien de Allende also crossed to give the Cape Town-based team a four-try bonus point at home and lift them off the bottom of the standings and above the Cheetahs.
Flyhalf Peter Grant came off the bench to kick the decisive penalty and the game’s final points in the 66th minute after New Zealand’s Highlanders overturned a 26-14 deficit to lead 28-26 and threaten a second straight win in South Africa after surprising leaders the Sharks last weekend.
Grant’s penalty took the sting out of the Dunedin-based Highlanders, and the Stormers hogged possession for the final 15 minutes to keep the dangerous visitors out. The Highlanders also scored four tries and picked up two bonus points from the narrow loss.
Malherbe burrowed over for his first try in the second minute at Newlands. New Zealand scrumhalf Aaron Smith replied with a searing break and chip-and-chase score in the seventh. Malherbe again used the Stormers’ forward superiority to grind his way over in the 29th, and center Juan de Jongh glided through a gap to put De Allende away in the right corner for the home team’s third.
Highlanders wing Trent Renata narrowed it to 19-14 at the break when he ran onto Ben Smith’s kick through, and although Kebble scored first in the second, the Highlanders grew in confidence as they pushed the ball wide. They scored twice in quick succession through fullback Ben Smith and center Malakai Fekitoa, while Stormers hooker Scarra Ntubeni was sin-binned, but could not launch another successful attack in the game’s final quarter.
? BULLS, CHEETAHS
AP, PRETORIA
The Bulls stayed unbeaten at home this season in Super Rugby with a 26-21 win over the Cheetahs on Saturday.
The Bulls needed second-half tries by tight forwards Paul Willemse and Callie Visagie to overcome a nine-point half-time deficit in the South African derby and breathe new life into their campaign after a winless road trip.
The Cheetahs slipped to an eighth loss in 11 games and are bottom after 12 rounds.
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