Sat. Nov 2nd, 2024

DHL Stormers secure bonus-point win over Munster in Cape Town

Munster's Calvin Nash
Ruhan Nel scored two tries for the home side on their way to a big victory

DHL Stormers 34 Munster 19

Munster have suffered another defeat following a 34-19 loss against DHL Stormers in South Africa in Round 5 of the URC Championship.  

Graham Rowntree made six changes to the side that lost away to Leinster last weekend, with Sean O’Brien a late change in place of Alex Nankivell. The province started slowly and after a no-look pass from Jack Crowley was intercepted by Suleiman Hartzenberg, the speed merchant was not to be stopped and ran over unopposed. Damian Willemse kicked over the conversion to give the DHL Stormers a dream start. 

Though it looked like Munster had gotten a rapid response, Jack Crowley’s pass out the wing to Mike Haley was judged to have been forward thus resulting in a scrum the opposite way.  

Things did improve for the province as they found their way back into the game in the 18th minute thanks to a terrific block down from Shane Daly which left Munster just five yards from the line. Tadhg Beirne then delivered the ball out to Tom Farrell who powered over before Jack Crowley nailed his first kick of the game. 

Much like against Leinster, Munster’s lineout was their downfall – losing three inside the opening 25 minutes.

Despite losing Niall Scannell due to a HIA after 24 minutes, his replacement Eoghan Clarke made an instant impact as he powered over for their second try after a superb rolling maul. Crowley couldn’t convert the conversion but Munster led for the first time.

However, despite having 59% possession, Munster fell behind again as Marcel Theunissen crashed over through a pile of Munster bodies, Willemse converting to give the South African side the lead which they held till the half-time break, leading 14-12. 

In the second half Munster once again struggled to hold out the Stormer’s attack, as a great team move inside the 22 resulted in Ruhan Nel securing their third try and completely in control of the game.  

Late on, Munster began losing possession and conceded too many penalties for coach Graham Rowntrees liking in what was becoming a stop-start clash. 

They did finally get some luck as replacement Gavin Coombes spotted a gap through the middle after some good work from Conor Murray, as he crashed over to reduce the gap along with Crowley converting his effort to leave it 21-19 going into the final ten minutes.  

The away side couldn’t muster a late comeback as another interception from a Jack Crowley pass opened space for Stormers to charge through unopposed to secure a bonus point victory, with Ruhan Nel getting his second, and the conversion to make it a 34-19 defeat for the Irish side. 

Munster will travel to the Sharks next Saturday marking the end of their trip to South Africa.

Player of the match: Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers). 

Munster: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Seán O’Brien, Shane Daly; Jack Crowley, Conor Murray; Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell, John Ryan; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne (C); Tom Ahern, Alex Kendellen, Jack O’Donoghue.  

Replacements: Eoghan Clarke for Scannell (HIA 24 mins), Niall Scannell for Clarke (34 mins), Billy Burns for Daly (48 mins), Kieran Ryan for Loughman, Stephen Archer for Ryan, Gavin Coomes for O’Donoghue (All 50 mins), Eoghan Clarke for Scannell (59 mins), Ruadhan Quinn for Kendellen (66 mins), Ethan Coughlan for Murray, Niall Scannell for Clarke (Both 72 mins). 

Tries: Tom Farrell, Eoghan Clarke, Gavin Coombes 

Cons:  Jack Crowley 2/3. 

DHL Stormers: Warrick Gelant, Suleiman Hartzenberg, Ruhan Nel, Dan du Plessis (C), Leolin Zas; Damian Willemse, Paul de Wet; Sti Sithole, Joseph Dweba, Neethling Fouche; Adre Smith, JD Schickerling; Marcel Theunissen, Ben-Jason Dixon, Keke Morabe  

Replacements: Ruben van Heerden for Smith (48 mins), Herschel Jantjies for De Wet (55 mins), Sazi Sandi for Fouche (59 mins), Adre Smith for Ruben van Heerden (64 mins), Dave Ewers for Morabe (77 mins)  

Tries: Suleiman Hartzenberg, Marcel Theunissen, Ruhan Nel 2x 

Cons: Damian Willemse 4/4 

Pens:  Damian Willemse 1/1 

Drop Goals: Damian Willemse 1/1. 

Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)  

AR 1: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU) AR 2: AJ Jacobs (SARU)  

TMO: Hollie Davidson (SRU)