Following the Stormers’ 56-5 victory over Benetton, listed here are our 5 takeaways from the United Rugby Championship conflict.
The highest line
A press release victory from the Stormers, who brushed apart a play-off chasing Benetton outfit in emphatic style, with the sensational Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu scoring in each method attainable for a 26-point private haul.
Loosehead prop Sazi Sandi obtained the ball rolling for the hosts within the third minute with Feinberg-Mngomezulu knocking over the conversion, a penalty and a drop objective earlier than offering a shocking go to Dan du Plessis, who crossed for the second attempt of the sport.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu transformed Seabelo Senatla’s attempt after one other penalty to take his first-half tally to 14, giving his aspect a 30-0 lead on the break.
Benetton began the second interval brightly as Jacob Umaga made the hosts pay for an error from the restart, however that was the one bother the Italians induced the scorers as they had been nicely and actually shut out.
Marcel Theunissen, Leolin Zas and Paul de Villiers all grabbed second-half tries earlier than Feinberg-Mngomezulu accomplished his full-house with the ultimate attempt of the match because the Stormers issued an announcement of intent and completed the weekend in sixth place.
John Dobson’s wrath
The Stormers boss is normally sporting a contagious smile, notably when his aspect are on the profitable aspect of the end result however final week, he was completely seething after the victory over Connacht.
The defensive efforts of his expenses left the normally cheerful coach fuming and whereas he made it clear that they might hear about it within the sheds afterwards, one has to imagine that scolding prolonged into the week and to their credit score, the gamers responded.
Benetton posed an enormous risk with the wonderful Umaga working the present at quantity 10 and the actually world-class centre pairing of Juan Ignacio Brex and Tommaso Menoncello however the trio had had been repeatedly shut down. The distinction within the organisation and efforts of the Stormers’ defence was evening and day from this week and final.
All through the match, one couldn’t however assist overhear the relentless chat from the Stormers gamers egging each other on and calling defensive roles. Whereas ways and methods are large components in a profitable modern-day defence, the fundamentals of communication and angle stay essential and that might be one of the pleasing points of at present’s shift for defence coach Norman Laker even with the poor begin to the second half.
Stormers participant scores: ‘UNREAL’ Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu stars once more as rookie shines in Springbok’s absence
Fuming John Dobson hits out at ‘f***ing stunning’ Stormers after brutal assessment of ‘appalling’ efficiency
Ruthless Stormers
It was not simply the defensive excellence of the Stormers however the attacking brilliance too. Within the first half, specifically, it felt just like the Capetonians scored with each entry into the Benetton half, by no means thoughts their 22.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Damian Willemse and Warrick Gelant had been chief orchestrators in Benetton’s demise as they not solely weaved their magic with ball in hand however kicked outstandingly to pin the Italians in their very own half.
The lineouts had been sharp too because the Stormers seemed very very similar to the staff that received the inaugural United Rugby Championship. Dobson’s males had a house run to the ultimate that yr which received’t be the case this time round however on at present’s proof, they’re launching a severe bid to clinch a second title after trying down and out not too way back.
However Dobson might be fast to remind his expenses of final week’s efficiency earlier than they get too carried away.
Paul de Villiers
One thing actually particular was wanted to disclaim Feinberg-Mngomezulu one other Man of the Match award and it got here from the quantity six jumper as De Villiers put in an impressive shift in simply his second begin of the season.
The previous Junior Boks captain is been tutored by veteran Deon Fourie and it exhibits in his performances as he was excellent on the breakdown, relentless together with his ball carriers and went about his work at 100km/hr.
His shift got here off the again of a blinder from Lions’ rising star Renzo du Plessis, who was included within the Springbok alignment camp, as South Africa flexes the unimaginable depth and expertise the nation has to supply.
In numbers, De Villiers topped the sort out rely with 11 and received two turnovers (each match highs) whereas gaining 18 metres from his 4 carries and scored a attempt. Moreover, he accomplished 5 passes, considered one of which led to a attempt for Senatla. Frankly, the stats don’t do his efficiency justice. He has been a revelation within the final two matches and if the Stormers are to go deep into the match, he might be essential to their trigger notably with the aspect dropping the providers of blindside flanker Ben-Jason Dixon via harm.
Additionally a phrase for Stormers rookie loosehead prop Vernon Matongo who has been tipped for a shiny profession. He sorted the problems at scrum time, together with Brok Harris. On the age of 23, he nonetheless has loads of time to turn into an actual star that would plug Steven Kitshoff’s void.
Benetton’s setback
The Italian membership are saved by outcomes elsewhere as each Munster and Edinburgh stumbled this weekend, the previous falling to Cardiff and the latter drawing with Zebre.
Ulster might nonetheless knock them out of the highest eight in the event that they defeat the Sharks however Michele Lamaro and his teammates might be nicely conscious that at present was nowhere close to ok.
Positive, the Stormers had been good and produced in all probability their greatest efficiency of the yr however Benetton failed to regulate and ask totally different questions of the South African outfit.
They face two powerful duties when the league resumes after the Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Glasgow Warriors and Munster up subsequent and a single level from at present’s sport would have achieved them a world of excellent. Alas, it was to not be.
As for the Stormers, they’ll fancy their possibilities of shifting up the standings within the last fortnight of motion with dwelling video games towards Welsh outfits the Dragons and Cardiff however they are going to be very cautious of the latter who might be driving a confidence wave after knocking over Munster.
READ MORE: Scarlets v Leinster: 5 takeaways as Welsh area ‘alive and kicking’ after shock win that may give Jacques Nienaber a ‘sleepless evening’
