JUR THE MAN

JURIE Matthee proved he is the Robin to Sacha Feinberg-Mongomezulu’s Batman as the backup flyhalf scored 21 points and helped the Stormers klap Benetton 31-16 in the United Rugby Championship (URC) on Saturday.

The win in Treviso, Italy, saw the Stormers bag a fifth straight victory to stay on top of the URC standings with 23 points.

More importantly to the Kaapse span was the fact that they ended a three-week tour to Europe unbeaten for the first time since debuting in the competition, while they also broke their duck against Benetton in Treviso at their third time of asking.

However, it was not all plain sailing in Saturday’s match on a slippery pitch which made playing exciting rugby a difficult prospect.

That did not phase the Kapenaars who stuck to their plan of outmuscling the opposition up front with powerful scrumming, direct play and mauling from lineouts.

Although the Stormers opened the scoring through prop Sazi Sandi, they had to dig deep after finding themselves trailing 16-8 at halftime as ill-discipline saw Benetton take control of the first half, with Louis Lynagh scoring the home team’s only try of the match, while flyhalf Jacob Umaga converted and kicked three penalties.

In the second half, the Stormers rediscovered their mojo and discipline with Matthee taking charge as he booted an early penalty after the break, before showing he is more than just a goal kicker by starting and finishing off a jitz attacking move as he dived over for the Stormers’ second try.

The No.10 then kicked two more three-pointers as the Stormers went 24-16 up, before replacement lock Adre Smith scored the Cape side’s third try to seal a hard-fought away win in which Matthee announced himself as more than just a Feinberg-Mngomezulu understudy.