DE VILLIERS SHINES AS STORMERS BEAT LIONS IN THRILLER

THE Stormers had to work very hard against the Lions to keep their unbeaten run going with a 34-27 victory over their visitors from upcountry in the United Rugby Championship at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

In a match that was a great advertisement for South African rugby, the hosts outscored their Gauteng visitors by four tries to three, while both flyhalves, the Stormers’ Jurie Matthee and Chris Smith for the Lions, on song with all their kicks from the tee.

The Lions were out of the blocks in no time when Ruan Venter crashed over for the first of his two tries from a mistake by Evan Roos at the kick-off.

They added a penalty before the Stormers got a try of their own, with wing Dylan Maart flying over following a geharde pass from Warrick Gelant

The Stormers made a fast start to the second half, with Wandisile Simelane finishing a try before a vrag forward replacements came on.

Former Junior Bok captain Paul de Villiers again put in a moerse shift, while the Lions’ discipline let them down.

The teams exchanged penalties before the Kaapse span struck again, with Evan Roos forcing his way over for the bonus-point try.

The Lions pulled one back through wing Kelly Mpeku which saw them take a bonus point for their efforts, but the Stormers took a full house of five points.

The SA derby win was the ninth consecutive victory this season and sees the Kapenaars end the year on top of the standings.

The Stormers next face the Bulls innie Kaap on 3 January.