Stormers thrash Lions at Cape Town Stadium as Herschel Jantjies shines

Scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies scored a brace as the Stormers outclassed the Lions 44-12 with a five-try romp in their final 2021 Kick-Off Pools clash at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

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Young Stormers flyhalf Abner van Reenen also showcased his talent on attack and with the boot with his flawless kicking display earning him five conversions, two penalty goals and a drop goal for a personal contribution of 19 points.

The Stormers started the clash with a bang as Jantjies scored the first of his two tries 40 seconds in, while speedster Seabelo Senatla added another, which paved the way for an encouraging 24-0 lead.

The hosts added two tries after the break, while the Lions touched down once and earned a penalty try, but their efforts were not enough, and the Stormers walked away with the rewarding victory.

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Jantjies received a well-timed pass following a grubber kick by Van Reenen for his first five-pointer, and the team doubled their lead in the 15th minute as Senatla dotted down following a crucial turnover and some good inter-passing to spread the ball wide.

Jantjies touched down again time three minutes later after a classy break by Senatla from within his own half, and with the defence committed he off-loaded to Jantjies on his inside.

Van Reenen continued to make his presence felt with the boot as the match progressed as he kicked a penalty goal to add to his three conversions, which saw them take a 24-0 lead going into the break.

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In stark contrast to the Stormers, the Lions had two chances to score metres from the tryline in the first half, but both attempts proved unsuccessful, leaving them scoreless.

The Stormers continued to stamp their authority after play resumed with Bongi Mbonambi (replacement hooker) crashing over in the 47th minute from a powerful rolling maul, and once again Van Reenen added the extra two to increase their lead to 31 points.

Van Reenen inflated their lead by six points early in the fourth quarter with his second penalty goal and a subsequent drop goal.

Despite trailing far behind the Lions never gave up, and their efforts finally paid off in the 69th minute as MJ Pelser (replacement loose forward) finished off a try from an effective cross kick and good inter-passing with centre Dan Kriel.

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The Stormers hit back three minutes later as midfielder Ruhan Nel scored their fifth try after a costly handling error by the Lions close to their tryline and Van Reenen made easy work of the conversion to hand the team a 44-5 lead with a few minutes to play.

The Lions were awarded a penalty try in the 75th minute after Van Reenen was ruled to have knocked the ball forward deliberately as the visitors were on attack over the tryline, and this saw the talented flyhalf receive a yellow card.

Jantjies came close to earning a hat-trick soon after, but his foot touched the whitewash as he crossed the tryline after gathering the ball from the kickoff.

With neither team able to add to score as the clock wound down, the Stormers sealed the rewarding 44-12 victory in this warm-up encounter.

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SCORERS:

Stormers

Tries: Herschel Jantjies (2), Seabelo Senatla, Bongi Mbonambi, Ruhan Nel

Conversions: Anber van Reenen (5)

Penalties: Van Reenen (2)

Drop goal: Van Reenen.

Lions

Tries: MJ Pelser, Penalty Try