Starting with the backs, Damian Willemse, wearing jersey 15, brought speed and precision to the field. He brilliantly assisted Seabelo Senatla for the opening try just six minutes into the game and led the team with 76 running metres from 13 carries, earning him a solid rating of 8.
Seabelo Senatla, donning number 14, quickly recovered from an initial mishap of dropping the ball, to score a straightforward try, receiving an 8. Captain and number 13, Ruhan Nel, was also impressive, making significant ground to total 70 metres, contributing to his team’s dynamic offensive play, and scoring a 7.
In the midfield, Jonathan Roche, number 12, demonstrated his growing skills as a secondary playmaker, with insightful passes that paved the way for pivotal plays, earning a 7. Leolin Zas, number 11, celebrated his 101st game for the Stormers with an opportunistic try, marking his performance with an 8.
Turning our attention to the fly-half, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, jersey number 10, was a tour de force. Despite some challenges with kicking, his overall game management, timely passes, and defensive solidity were exemplary, meriting the highest score of 9.
The scrum-half, Cobus Reinach, number 9, played a supportive role that complemented the dominant forwards, resulting in a score of 6.
The forward pack had a standout day, particularly in the scrums where they dominated. Hacjivah Dayimani, number 8, scored twice from maul and scrum advantages, just missing what could have been a hat-trick because of a knock-on. His performance was top-notch, earning a 9.
Springboks captain Siya Kolisi, wearing the number 7 jersey, had a solid game before being substituted at the 56-minute mark, scoring a 6. His openside flanker counterpart, Paul de Villiers, number 6, turned over the ball three times and made the most tackles in the match, earning a commendable 7.
In the second row, JD Schickerling and Adré Smith, wearing jerseys 5 and 4 respectively, were pivotal in maintaining a dominant scrum and effective defense, each earning a 7. The front row saw André-Hugo Venter, number 2, and Ntuthuko Mchunu, number 1, excel at scrums and breakdowns, both scoring an 8, with Venter also scoring a try.
Wilco Louw, number 3, was instrumental in the scrum, helping secure penalties and contributing to Dayimani's second try, earning an 8.
For the replacements, JJ Kotze managed to score but overall, the bench had a quieter day with a combined score of 5, particularly as the Sharks won the final half-hour 14-5.
The match showcased the Stormers’ ability to strategically manipulate the scrum and leverage their backline to maintain pressure, culminating in a well-deserved victory that underscored their prowess in both strategic execution and individual performances.
The Stormers have now set a high standard for the rest of their season, with this victory proving their capability to dominate both in the forwards and in agile backline movements. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, in particular, demonstrated why he is considered one of the most promising talents in rugby today.
