Imagine a rugby match where the absence of one key player leaves a gaping hole in creativity, yet the team still manages to grind out a win. That’s exactly what happened when the Stormers faced the Lions in a thrilling 34-27 United Rugby Championship clash at DHL Stadium. But here’s where it gets controversial: was it sheer determination or the bench’s late heroics that sealed the deal? Let’s dive into the player ratings and uncover the moments that defined this hard-fought victory.
Backs
15 Warrick Gelant: Struggled with high balls and limited space to showcase his speed, but his contribution to the Stormers’ first try was crucial. Rating: 5
14 Dylan Maart: A standout early catch neutralized a Lions’ high bomb, though their kicking game caused trouble elsewhere. His well-executed try and subtle touches added value. Rating: 6
13 Wandisile Simelane: Scored a pivotal try to reignite the Stormers’ momentum in the second half, but his performance lacked the flair we’ve come to expect. Rating: 6
12 Jonathan Roche: Delivered a solid, workmanlike display with hard runs and crisp passes, though the Lions’ physicality in the first half limited his impact. Rating: 6
11 Leolin Zas: Rarely found space to run and struggled with the Lions’ kicking game, yet his assist for Simelane’s try was a bright spot. Rating: 5
10 Jurie Matthee: Stepping into Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s shoes, Matthee faced a creative void, especially in the first half. However, his accurate goal-kicking proved invaluable, showcasing his reliability as a stand-in. Rating: 7
9 Cobus Reinach: A disappointing first half saw him outshone by Lions’ Morne van den Berg, but he redeemed himself in the third quarter as the Stormers gained control. Rating: 6
Forwards
8 Evan Roos: A first-half performance to forget, marred by errors, including a disastrous kickoff. Yet, his game-saving turnover in the second half partially redeemed him. Rating: 4
7 Marcel Theunissen: Despite a strong season, he was outmuscled by the Lions’ physical loose forwards and substituted early. Rating: 5
6 Paul de Villiers: A consistent performer, his assist for Maart’s try and overall presence in the loose earned him the Player of the Match award. Is he the next Springbok star? Rating: 8
5 Ruben van Heerden: Struggled in lineouts and restarts, contributing to the Lions’ first-half dominance. His physicality, alongside Moerat, was notably lacking. Rating: 4
4 Salmaan Moerat (c): Shared Van Heerden’s struggles, with technical and physical aspects falling short. Leadership alone couldn’t salvage his performance. Rating: 4
3 Neethling Fouché: Held his own at the scrum, except for one Lions surge, but was substituted early in the second half. Rating: 6
2 André-Hugo Venter: Partly responsible for lineout issues, though not entirely at fault. A mixed bag of a performance. Rating: 4
1 Vernon Matongo: Engaged in a gripping battle with Asenathi Ntlabakanye, emerging slightly ahead. Rating: 6
Replacements: And this is the part most people miss—the Bomb Squad’s early introduction turned the tide. JD Schickerling stabilized the lineout, and the forwards provided the traction needed for victory. The bench was the game-changer. Rating: 9
Controversial Question: Did the Stormers win despite their starters, or because of their bench? Share your thoughts below—this debate is far from settled!
