Stormers player ratings: The Stormers made Leinster look like startled tourists in Cape Town, drubbing the URC champs 35-nil.
They smashed them in the scrum, dominated the breakdown, and swarmed them in defence. It wasn’t flawless – Jurie Matthee’s goal-kicking wobbled – but this was as close to a statement win as you’ll get in the URC.
1. Vernon Matongo – 8.5
Rabah Slimani will be having nightmares. Matongo destroyed him in the scrum and kept on bullying even when the Frenchman was hooked. A statement shift.
2. Andre-Hugo Venter – 8
His darts were laser-guided, his work over the ball relentless. A menace in contact and ond of the Stormers’ standout forwards.
3. Neethling Fouche – 8
Made life miserable for Jack Boyle and later Paddy McCarthy. Dominant at the set-piece and gave Stormers a steady foundation.
4. Andre Smith – 7.5
Loves to live on the edge and the referee didn’t always appreciate his enthusiasm. Still, he was a nuisance in tight exchanges and helped lay the physical marker.
5. JD Schickerling– 7
Did the hard, unseen graft. Safe in the lineout, aggressive in defence, and part of a pack that simply outgunned Leinster.
6. Paul de Villiers – 7.5
Thought he had a try only for obstruction to spoil the party. Carried hard and kept Leinster on the back foot regardless. A couple of turnovers against his name but a decent outing.
7. Ben-Jason Dixon – 8
Outstanding. Ran through defenders like a rogue carthorse at a funfair. His abrasive carrying and work rate were relentless.
8. Evan Roos – 9
Back to his snarling, explosive best. Carried with venom, tackled like a man possessed, and gobbled up metres. Deserved his maul try and reminded the Springbok selectors of his worth.
9. Stefan Ungerer – 8
Snappy service, tidy control, and a sharp finish for his 43rd-minute try. Leinster couldn’t lay a hand on him.
10. Juree Matthee – 8
Kicking radar was patchy – missed some sitters, nailed others – but from hand he controlled territory well. Had the confidence to have a pop at long-range goals, even if they didn’t all stick.
11. Leolin Zas– 6
Showed nice touches and threatened space whenever he got ball. His presence kept Leinster honest on the edges, even if Tommy O’Brien got the better of him on a number of occasions.
12. Daniel du plesis – 7
Hard running, slick distribution, and solid defensively. Helped keep the Stormers midfield organised.
13. Ruhan Nel – 5.5
Broke tackles and linked well with Senatla. A calm, balanced performance that allowed others to shine. A few too many missed tackles blotted his copybook.
14. Seabelo Senatla – 8
Pace always had Leinster in scramble mode. Carved them open with a break on 43 minutes that led to Ungerer’s try, then tore them again for Roos’ score. A few error too but hard to argue with man of the match award.
15. Wandisile Simelane – 7.5
Denied a try by an obvious forward pass but was lively throughout. Safe under the high ball and always scanning for counter-attack opportunities.
REPLACEMENTS
16. JJ Kotze – 7
Kept the set-piece dominant and added grunt in defence.
17. Oliver Reid– 7
Slotted seamlessly into the scrum, helping maintain dominance.
18. Zachary Porthen – 7
Picked up where Fouche left off, applying pressure at the set-piece.
19. Ruben Van Heerden – 6
Brought fresh legs to the engine room and kept Leinster squeezed.
20. Ruan Ackermann – 7
The Ex- Gloucester man carried with intent and offered a hard edge off the bench.
21. Marcel Theunissen – 7
Busy and combative, kept the pressure on Leinster’s loose forwards.
22. DeWaldt Duvenage – 8
Came on and immediately pulled strings, providing the assist for Matthee’s try. Experience told.
23. Clinton Swart – 7
Added defensive solidity and composure in the closing stages.
