At a sun-baked Cape Town Stadium in Green Point, the Stormers had to dig deeper than at any point this season to subdue a fired-up Lions outfit, eventually running out 34–27 winners and banking a full house of five log points. It was their seventh win from seven starts, keeping John Dobson’s side comfortably clear at the summit of the standings, but it was far from the polished performance their log position suggests.

The Stormers were second best for much of a scrappy first half, struggling badly with handling and territory as the Lions cleverly exploited the glare of the Cape Town sun. Two early restart spills facing into the light gifted Ruan Venter a brace of tries, and the visitors dominated possession to such an extent that a bigger halftime lead than 17–10 would have been fully deserved.

That the Stormers stayed in touch owed much to sheer defensive grit and a well-taken try by Dylan Maart, who is on loan from the Suzuku Griquas. Crucially, it also meant the Lions’ advantage was always vulnerable once the hosts emptied their bench. The introduction of the so-called “storm squad” flipped the contest on its head early in the second half, with a freakish bounce off a damaged surface sending Wandisile Simelane over before the Stormers’ pack began to assert themselves.

Paul de Villiers. Photo: Stormers

A 20-metre driving maul announced the shift in momentum, and from the ensuing pressure Paul de Villiers powered over for a try that swung control firmly to the home side. Further forward dominance brought tries from Evan Roos, while Jurie Matthee’s calm boot ensured the Stormers stayed ahead despite some nervy moments late on. Sloppy game management kept the Lions in the contest until the dying minutes, but the Stormers’ physical edge ultimately told.

Stormers: Tries - Dylan Maart, Wandisile Simelane, Paul de Villiers and Evan Roos Conv. - Jurie Matthee 4 Pen. - Matthee 2

Lions: Tries - Ruan Venter 2 and Kelly Mpeku Conv. - Chris Smith 3 Pen. - Chris Smith 2

In Durban, the Sharks produced their own bench-inspired turnaround to beat the Bulls 21–12 in a humid, error-strewn affair that did little to ease the pressure on Pretoria coach Johan Ackermann. The Bulls led 14–12 heading into the final quarter thanks to four Handré Pollard penalties, but once their Springbok front row departed, their grip on the game loosened.

Enter Jaden Hendrikse. The Springbok scrumhalf changed the tempo on arrival, first setting up Edwill van der Merwe’s decisive try with a clever chip over the ruck, then shutting the door with a last-gasp aerial take. Siya Kolisi’s earlier try had nudged the Sharks ahead, but it was Hendrikse’s composure that sealed a win that lifts JP Pietersen’s side off the foot of the log.

Willie le Loux, Siya Kolisi and Makazole Mapimpi. Photo: X

The Bulls’ late fade has become a worrying trend, and with injuries mounting and a trip to Cape Town next, the pressure will intensify. For the Stormers and Sharks, though, this derby weekend was a timely reminder that in the URC, games are often won not in the opening exchanges, but by the impact players waiting on the bench.

Sharks: Tries - Hakeem Kunene, Siya Kolisi, Edwill van der Merwe Conv. - Jordan Hendrikse, George Whitehead 2

Bulls: Pen - Handré Pollard

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek