Stormers lose battle against Munster

The Stormers need some help if they are to finish second on the United Rugby Championship table after a 26-24 loss to Munster at DHL Stadium on Saturday.

They will need a bonus point win against Benetton on Friday and hope Munster don’t beat the Sharks with a bonus point.

It was a first defeat at home since December 2021, ending a 22-match home winning streak for the defending champions.

Munster struck early with a maul try from hooker Diarmuid Barron to put them 7-0 up.

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The Stormers were down to 14 when Seabelo Senatla was shown a yellow card for a high tackle and Barron went in for his second maul try straight after.

The Stormers had the crowd right in behind them and after a period of sustained pressure in the 22 it was Frans Malherbe who went over for the try. The home side kept pressing and levelled the match on the stroke of half-time as centre Ruhan Nel bashed his way over to make it 12-12 at the break.

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The Stormers had an opportunity to take the lead at the start of the second half, but Manie Libbok’s penalty attempt hit the upright.

Instead it was the Irish side to score next as wing Shane Daly scored in the corner against the run of play.

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The Stormers refused to give in and were back within two points when captain Steven Kitshoff scored from a maul. That set up a tense finish, but Munster made it 26-17 with a try from No.8 Gavin Coombes.

To their credit the Stormers never stopped fighting and a try after the hooter from Ruhan Nel saw them take two bonus points in the end.

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