It was also the Stormers first defeat of the season in the URC, snapping their eight match winning streak in the competition, and with the margins being as fine as they are, it has allowed Franco Smith's Glasgow Warriors to move to the top of the log with a three point cushion.

In front of a packed Cape Town Stadium, the visitors delivered a composed, ruthless performance that will significantly strengthen belief in the JP Pietersen era. With a return fixture looming at Kings Park next weekend, the Sharks will know the job is only half done. But a four-try bonus-point win away from home, built on planning, discipline and forward dominance, marked a huge step forward for a side desperate for consistency.

A sold out Cape Town Stadium in Green Point - Stormers

The Stormers, by contrast, were deeply disappointing. Warning signs had been flashing in recent home games, and they finally caught up with the defending champions. While they edged the Bulls in a bruising derby three weeks ago, their Champions Cup performances against Harlequins and Leicester Tigers suggested fragility beneath the surface.

Coach John Dobson’s pre-match comment about feeling pressure to entertain at home proved prophetic. Since returning from a successful overseas run built on pragmatic rugby, the Stormers have slipped back into loose habits – too many offloads, too much ambition, and not enough control. Their famed “running DNA” was again on show, but what their fans crave most is a winning one.

The Sharks were clinical from the outset. After the Stormers made four early errors inside their own half, the visitors struck through a powerful driving maul, with Jason Jenkins rumbling over. Phepsi Buthelezi, immense throughout, added another maul try early in the second half after outplaying his opposite number Paul de Villiers.

André Esterhuizen sealed the deal late on with yet another maul try, underlining the Sharks’ total dominance up front. The Springbok centre was outstanding once more, continuing a rich vein of form that has elevated his all-round influence.

Jordan Hendrikse’s boot kept the scoreboard ticking, while the Sharks’ kicking and defensive accuracy exposed a Stormers side that looked frantic whenever they tried to chase the game. Although moments of brilliance from Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Damian Willemse briefly threatened a comeback, ill-discipline, a misfiring maul and a shoddy lineout repeatedly let the hosts down.

In the end, this was a classic South African derby – bruising, unpredictable, and unforgiving. The Sharks embraced it. The Stormers were undone by it. Both sides will head to Durban next week knowing the rematch carries even more weight.

Scorers:

Stormers: Tries - Damian Willemse 2, Penalty Try Conv. - Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu

Sharks: Tries - Jason Jenkins, Jaco Williams, Phepsi Buthelezi, André Esterhuizen Conv. - Jordan Hendrikse 2, Pen. - Hendrikse 2

Morgan Piek OFM Sport