Two second-half converted tries for hosts Edinburgh denied Siya Kolisi a memorable Stormers return in a narrow defeat on Friday night in round two of the URC.
The Stormers trailed 3-0 at half-time following a tightly contested opening 40 minutes, Edinburgh flyhalf James Grayson landing a penalty after four minutes at Hive Stadium.
They had one final chance to steal victory at the death, winning a penalty and kicking to the corner, but the home side stole their lineout to secure the 17-13 win.
The visitors opened their account after the restart through the boot of flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed and a try from Man of the Match Hacjivah Dayimani.
Hacjivah Dayimai is always reliable for the Stormers
He muscles his way to the try line
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Edinburgh first crossed the whitewash through flank Paul Hill before replacement Rory McHaffie went over in the corner with 10 minutes left, with Grayson converting.
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The Stormers had opportunities through scrum and breakdown penalties inside the first stanza but struggled at lineout time – they lost seven throw-ins before the break – while Edinburgh steadily built pressure through their own set-piece.Â
Their defence held firm when tested, forcing errors and stopping the home team from turning territory into points. A strong wind also made handling and kicking difficult.Â
John Dobson’s men had to contend with an injury blow when hooker André-Hugo Venter went off in the 22nd minute for an HIA, which he failed, and was replaced by Vernon Paulo.
They were also reduced to 14 men for 10 minutes as the match entered the final quarter after winger Seabelo Senatla was shown a yellow card by referee Eoghan Cross for a breakdown infringement, but parity in the numbers was restored in the 63rd minute when No 7 Freddy Douglas was sent to the sin-bin.
Kolisi played his first match for the Stormers in more than five years, earning his 119th cap at No 6 in the loss as the 2021-22 champions still look for a first win in Scotland.
Dobson’s troops had won four of their last five meetings with Edinburgh. Friday’s result follows a bonus-point victory over Connacht in Galway.
The Stormers now reset for next Saturday’s coastal derby against the Sharks at Cape Town Stadium, the first of four successive home matches for the Capetonians in October.
Sean Everitt’s Edinburgh, who beat Ulster in their season opener, will travel to Italy to face Zebre next week.
EDINBURGH – Tries: Paul Hill, Rory McHaffie. Conversions: James Grayson (2). Penalty: Grayson.
STORMERS – Try: Hacjivah Dayimani. Conversion: Yaqeen Ahmed. Penalties: Ahmed (2).

Photo: @THESTORMERS/X
The post Edinburgh edge Stormers at the Hive appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Two second-half converted tries for hosts Edinburgh denied Siya Kolisi a memorable Stormers return in a narrow defeat on Friday night in round two of the URC.
The post Edinburgh edge Stormers at the Hive appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
