The Lions last beat the Stormers in the 2021/22 season but have not been able to win a match in five subsequent matches. The Stormers scored five tries to beat the Lions by 29-10, after leading by 15-0 at halftime.

The Stormers scored within the first 15 minutes when hooker Joseph Dweba crossed the whitewash. But the Lions ran into trouble after 20 minutes when lock Ruben Schoeman was shown a red card for a dangerous clear-out on Manie Libbok.  The team from the Highveld were reduced to 14 men for the rest of the game. Shortly after, Suleiman Hartzenberg scored for the hosts and Dweba scored his second try just before the break.

‘Lions were reduced to 13 men’

The Lions finally got points on the scoreboard early in the second half when Edwill van der Merwe chipped ahead. But then the Lions were reduced to 13 men when centre Manny Ras got a yellow card.

The Stormers capitalised with a bonus point try, courtesy of Leolin Zas.  But the Lions were not done yet and replacement hooker Franco Marais went over the line to salvage some pride for the visitors. The hosts had the final say with Neethling Fouche scoring to seal the win.

The Lions will now take a two-week break before travelling to France to face Montpellier next month in the EPCR Challenge Cup. The Stormers will have to refocus to host the Sharks next Saturday in Cape Town.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger dg