DHL Stormers claimed the plaudits in the South African derby when they narrowly defeated the Vodacom Bulls 19-17 in a hard-fought Vodacom United Rugby Championship match at DHL Stadium on Saturday.
The Vodacom Bulls’ good run of five consecutive wins came to an end in Cape Town with the defeat to their rivals in the North versus South derby.
It was the side from Tshwane that claimed the first points of the match when flyhalf, Chris Smith, kicked over a penalty in the 14th minute of the match to give the Vodacom Bulls a 0-3 lead.
The home side responded in the 26th minute when DHL Stormers pivot, Manie Libbok added his own three-pointer to level the score.
It was an evenly matched affair between the two sides for the entire first half, until the home side managed to sneak in a last-minute try after the siren had sounded. It was flanker, Hacjivah Dayimani, who crossed over to score the opening try of the afternoon which Libbok converted.
The DHL Stormers went into the half-time break leading 10-3.
The Vodacom Bulls looked motivated in the second half and were rewarded for their efforts in the 51st minute when winger, Canan Moodie, scored a try.
The Capetonians continued to add points to the scoreboard with Libbok adding two penalties while Damian Willemse kicked over a drop-goal which proved to be the decider.
Six minutes from the final whistle the Vodacom Bulls fought back strongly and were rewarded with a try from No8, Elrigh Louw, which was converted by Morne Steyn.
However, that was not enough to overturn the two-point deficit which saw the home side hold on to win the match 19-17.
SCORERS
DHL Stormers (10) 19
TRY: Hacjivah Dayimani
CONVERSION: Manie Libbok
PENALTIES: Libbok (3)
DROP-GOAL: Damian Willemse
Vodacom Bulls (3) 17
TRIES: Canan Moodie, Elrigh Louw
CONVERSIONS: Chris Smith, Morne Steyn
PENALTY: Smith
