Claiming a win over the defending champions on their home soil as well as securing their first major title in 12 years makes the URC win extra sweet for the red warriors.

The game started in favour of the Stormers who had a lot to fight for, defending their title in front of a home crowd of over 56000 spectators. Manie Libbok dotted over the line in the 5th minute and managed to convert, giving the home side an early lead.

Munster retaliated quickly with a try from Barron in the 9th minute. A missed conversion allowed for the Stormers to stay in the lead at 7-5 but shortly after, Evan Roos was sent to the sin bin for a foul and this opened the door for Munster to attack while the Stormers were vulnerable.

In the 10 minutes Roos spent off the field Munster fought to gain ground and a lead. Jack Crowley set up Calvin Nash with a cross-field kick giving the winger room to go over the line and put the Irish giants in the lead. Crowley’s conversion took the score up a notch and Munster walked off the field at halftime with a 12-7 lead

The second half started with a yellow card for Munster’s fullback, Mike Haley, giving the determined Stormers room to make up for their shortfall early into the last 40 minutes of the game. Deon Fourie dotted down in the 47th minute with a powerful maul and followed by another conversion from Libbok, the Stormers once again had the lead.

With the score at 14-12, it was all to fight for for both sides. Munster stayed in the game, fought hard and in the 74th minute it was flanker John Hodnett who made the difference, scoring a try mere minutes from time to secure Munster a well deserved 19-14 win over the Stormers in Cape Town. 

Scorers:

DHL Stormers

Tries: Manie Libbok, Deon Fourie. 

Conversions: Libbok (2)

Munster

Tries: Diarmuid Barron, Calvin Nash, John Hodnett

 Conversions: Jack Crowley (2)

Kayla Barker/OFM Sport