Stormers grind out bonus-point win over Edinburgh despite lacklustre URC display

The Stormers did just enough to secure a bonus-point 33-14 victory over Edinburgh in Cape Town on Saturday evening — but it was far from a convincing performance in their United Rugby Championship (URC) clash.

Two tries from eighthman Evan Roos, who impressed with his carries and defensive work, and one apiece from winger Leolin Zas, loosehead prop Ntuthuko Mchunu, and replacement Deon Fourie secured the five points that kept the Cape side in second place on the overall log.

However, they made it difficult for themselves on the night.

For a second weekend in a row, they created opportunities, but their inability to convert those chances proved costly, especially in the first half, where the scores were tied 7-all at halftime.

While the plan was clearly to kick Edinburgh into submission — and it worked to some extent — the 20 000-plus supporters in the stadium did not witness the brand of rugby the Stormers are capable of producing. Aimless and inaccurate kicks from scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer and flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu cost them valuable territory.

It was evident that the tactic was not working, yet the home side persisted with it, eventually wearing the visitors down.

However, whenever they kept the ball in hand — as seen in the tries by Zas and Mchunu — the Scots had no answer. Why they did not continue with that approach remains a mystery.

Roos, fetcher Paul de Villiers and Mchunu — despite a needless yellow card — were the standout performers up front. In the backs, their play was less convincing, although the experiment of Damian Willemse on the wing delivered encouraging results.

The Stormers’ bench ultimately proved decisive in the second half. They gained dominance in the scrum when Neethling Fouché came on at tighthead shortly after the break, while loose forwards Hacjivah Dayimani and Fourie injected much-needed energy. Fourie capped it off with the final try at the death following a powerful scrum.

At the back, flyhalf Jurie Matthee showed some sharp attacking touches, and given Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s performance, his understudy may warrant more minutes ahead of the playoffs.

While the performance raised plenty of questions, the Stormers will take the five points as they edge closer to securing a top-two URC finish.

Points scorers

Stormers 33 (7): Tries: Evan Roos (2), Leolin Zas, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Deon Fourie. Conversions: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (4). Edinburgh 14 (7): Tries: James Lang, Boan Venter. Conversions: Ross Thompson (2).