The Stormers produced a sensational attacking display before surviving a second-half comeback from the Scarlets to claim victory in a URC classic at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
John Dobson’s men bulldozed the Scarlets 34-0 in Wales last season, but needed two tries from replacement Yaqeen Ahmed inside the final 10 minutes to secure a 52-40 bonus-point win this time around.
The Stormers took a commanding 33-14 lead into half-time after a lively opening 40 minutes, with both teams finding space in an entertaining contest
Flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu converted six of the home team’s eight tries.
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Dobson rang the changes from last week’s 49-12 triumph over the Bristol Bears in the Investec Champions Cup. Teenager Markus Muller started his first URC match at inside centre while Paul de Villiers captained the side for only the second time.
Former Stormers forward Alex Groves started in the second row for the visitors.
Tighthead prop Zachary Porthen opened the scoring after the Scarlets were reduced to 14 men – hooker John McKee yellow-carded for a cynical infringement at the breakdown – before Feinberg-Mngomezulu sparked a counter-attack for scrumhalf Haashim Pead to score his maiden try in his first Stormers start.
The chicken wing, the finish, the isiXhosa commentary
It’s a special try for Haashim Pead in the blue and white hoops
Stream #VURC on DStv: https://t.co/0P0NNhnwKw https://t.co/rh3K00BslZ
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) October 24, 2026
Loosehead Ntuthuko Mchunu then crashed over as the hosts took control, but the Scarlets struck back through outside centre Joe Roberts and right winger Ioan Jones.
Seabelo Senatla finished another Stormers blitz to notch his third try in as many matches and secured the bonus point.
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Deon Fourie then capped the half with a maul try, extending the Stormers’ advantage to 19 points at the interval.
The Scarlets struck twice early after the restart through winger Macs Page and Roberts, then kept coming as the latter completed his hat-trick and skipper Josh Macleod crossed to level the scores at 40-40.
Substitute prop Olly Reid restored the Stormers’ lead before Ahmed scored twice at the death. His second try, after the Stormers hacked a loose ball downfield, sealed the result.
Yaqeen Ahmed off the bench
He extends the lead for the DHL Stormers
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) October 24, 2026
In round five of the URC next week, the Stormers host Ulster – beaten 34-26 by the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday – while the Scarlets face Johan Ackermann’s Herd in Pretoria.
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However, Dobson will have to contend with injury concerns for forwards Hacjivah Daymiani and André-Hugo Venter, who both went off in the first half after heavy collisions. Fourie and fellow replacement Lukhanyo Vokozela were also substituted in the second stanza.
STORMERS – Tries: Zachary Porthen, Haashim Pead, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Seabelo Senatla, Deon Fourie, Olly Reid, Yaqeen Ahmed (2). Conversions: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (6).
SCARLETS – Tries: Joe Roberts (3), Ioan Jones, Macs Page, Josh Macleod. Conversions: Carwyn Leggatt-Jones (5).
Photo: @THESTORMERS/X
The post Stormers survive Scarlets fightback appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The Stormers produced a sensational attacking display before surviving a second-half comeback from the Scarlets to claim victory in a URC classic at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
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