STORMERS MAKE IT EIGHT FROM EIGHT WITH WIN OVER LA ROCHELLE

THE Stormers continued their gevaarlike start to the season with a dominant 42-21 bonus-point victory over La Rochelle innie Baai, remaining unbeaten in the Champions Cup and extending their winning run to eight matches in all competitions.

Playing with pace, power and confidence, the Kapenaars outplayed the French heavyweights and underlined their credentials as serious contenders.

The hosts exploded out of the blocks at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha, scoring twice inside the opening 10 minutes.

Flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu was central to both tries, first delivering a perfectly weighted crossfield kick for right wing Dylan Maart, who finished in the corner.

Minutes later, Feinberg-Mngomezulu sent left wing Leolin Zas through, with Zas shrugging off a tackle to score. Although the conversions were missed, the Stormers established early control.

For much of the first half, Feinberg-Mngomezulu orchestrated proceedings as the Stormers dominated possession and territory.

They were twice denied further tries through disallowed scores – one from Ben-Jason Dixon and another from a rolling maul – which blunted their momentum.

La Rochelle took advantage of the lull, and the Stormers went into halftime with a narrower-than-expected 16-7 lead.

The home span reasserted themselves early in the second half when hooker Andre-Hugo Venter powered over from a rolling maul.

A yellow card to prop Neethling Fouche briefly shifted momentum, allowing La Rochelle to close the gap, but the Stormers showed resilience.

A crucial turnover from fullback Warrick Gelant sparked a rapid response, with Cobus Reinach’s quick tap leading to Feinberg-Mngomezulu setting up Maart for his second try.

Reinach then broke the line again to send Gelant over, effectively sealing the contest.

Despite occasional disciplinary issues, the Stormers’ forwards impressed at scrum time, while flank Paul de Villiers delivered a klas performance.