Posted February 15, 2015 10:40:49
Stormers continued a trend of away wins in the opening round of Super Rugby by shocking fellow South Africans the Bulls 29-17 on Sunday (AEDT) in Pretoria.
New Zealand sides Hurricanes and Chiefs, Australians Melbourne Rebels and South Africans Cheetahs also triumphed on the road.
The Brumbies were the only side to win at home, thrashing the Reds by 44 points in an Australian derby.
SCOREBOARD: BUL 17-29 STO
 |
17-29 |
 |
|---|
at Loftus Versfeld, February 14 2015 |
4 |
Pens conceded |
4 |
45% |
Time in opp half |
55% |
52% |
Possession |
48% |
7 |
Turnovers |
9 |
Bulls: D Stegmann try; H Pollard 0/1 con; H Pollard 4/6 pens
Stormers: D Leyds, D Vermuelen tries; D Catrakilis 2/2 cons; D Catrakilis 3 pens, K Coleman pen; K Coleman 1/3 field goals
|
View full stats sheet The first round of the southern hemisphere inter-provincial rugby championship concludes on Sunday when title-holders the Waratahs host Western Force in another Australian affair.
Left-wing Dillyn Leyds and number eight and skipper Duane Vermuelen crossed the try-line for the Cape Town-based Stormers at Loftus Versfeld stadium.
Ever-dependable goal-kicker and fly half Demetri Catrakilis converted both tries and slotted three penalties from five attempts.
Kurt Coleman, who replaced Catrakilis for the closing stages, kicked one penalty and a drop goal for a team who came closest to the title in 2010 when finishing runners-up to the Bulls.
Flanker Deon Stegmann scored the try that gave three-time champions Bulls an early lead and fly half Handre Pollard kicked four second-half penalties for the home team, who trailed 17-5 at half-time.
Fielding three Springboks compared to the 13 of the Bulls, often poor travellers Stormers recovered from conceding a try to take a ninth-minute lead they never surrendered.
"What an amazing victory," boasted 2014 South African Rugby Player of the Year Vermuelen, skippering the side because of a long-term injury to centre Jean de Villiers.
"The response of the young guys in a much less experienced team than the Bulls was awesome.
"Our recipe for success was simple -- know your job and do your job well. Everyone gave 100 percent out there.
"Game breakers are vital and after Demetri (Catrakilis) did a wonderful job, Kurt (Coleman) came on, kicked a difficult penalty before wrapping up the victory with a drop goal."
Veteran Bulls skipper and lock Victor Matfield admitted to be being "very disappointed" as Bulls lost at home having won seven matches at Loftus Versfeld last season and drawn the other.
"After a great off-season, we made too many errors tonight and got punished.
"We had a good first 10 minutes and a good 30 minutes after half-time, before needlessly conceding penalties that cost us the game."
Stegmann touched down after a Bulls driving maul off a line-out only for a blunder from full-back Jurgen Visser to gift-wrap a try for Leyds which Catrakilis converted.
Another Catrakilis penalty followed by a Vermuelen try off a superbly angled run that was converted closed the first-half scoring.
After missing three opening-half penalty attempts, Pollard kicked four penalties and Catrakilis one to reduce Stormers' lead to 20-17 on 60 minutes.
But the Bulls did not score again and Catrakilis and Coleman penalties and a Coleman drop goal delivered the win.
AFP
Topics: sport, rugby-union, super-rugby, south-africa