Cape side get the log points but will lament keeping Sale Sharks in the fight
The Stormers had to show resolve and doggedness to beat down the challenge of the combative Sale Sharks in Cape Town on Saturday.
The home team dominated most of the match but soft moments in defence helped keep the spirited visitors in the contest.
And although they had to be biting to match Sale’s bark, the Stormers’ agility was what won them the Champions Cup 31–24.
The bonus-point victory keeps them competitive in their pool, but in order to stay in the race, they must defeat Stade Francais in Paris the following weekend.
Even though the Stormers had the advantage, particularly when it came to their monopoly of possession, they were not immune to setbacks, and the Sale Sharks had both the tongue and the teeth to bite.
Although the Stormers dominated the scrum and were unfazed in the line-outs, as has been their tendency, it was their skill at making telling passes that won the game.
Hacjivah Dayimani, who was named man of the match, was excellent once more. His work rate up close was commendable as well, not just in open areas.
Dayimani’s performance at the Stormers is evidence of how much he has improved, especially in a game with so much menace and variety. Both he and flyhalf Manie Libbok captivated the crowd, with wing Leolin Zas and fullback Damian Willemse following closely behind.
When Zas and Dayimani coordinated down the blindside for the former’s second attempt, it required a moment of magic.
Sale deserves praise for persevering in the conflict. They were usually aggressive, which helped to throw the Stormers off balance.
For the visitors, lock Jonny Hill, hooker Agustin Creevy, and flank Ben Curry put out a lot of effort. When the Stormers were on the attack in the fifth minute, Creevy made a critical steal, demonstrating that they performed effectively when facing an uphill battle. When Captain Curry stole the ball from the Stormers’ maul early on, he also left his fingerprints behind.
By the tenth minute, though, the home team’s amount of attacking set pieces began to mount up. Lock Adre Smith was able to get over the gainline and skillfully offload the ball after Libbok took the ball flat.
Though Sale weathered more storms, they were the architects of the own demise when the hosts scored again. They overcomplicated an exit which contributed to a pedestrian attempted clearance kick from flyhalf Rob du Preez that allowed Suleiman Hartzenberg a charge down try.
But almost immediately, Du Preez made amends when he allowed Hill into space with a delayed pass, setting the lock free to score.
In actuality, Du Preez’s influence grew stronger during the course of the game.
Sale made sure they’d open the second half with increased interest when Creevy used his low centre of gravity to barge over for a converted try, even if Libbok and Zas connected splendidly for the Stormers’ third try.
In the second half, Sale used greater pressure and a little off-the-ball scheming, and it worked in their favour. The English squad persisted in nipping at the heels of the Stormers, even though it appeared like they would draw away comfortably.
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