The Stormers completed a second bonus-point victory in as many weeks to consolidate their place in the United Rugby Championship (URC) top eight with a spectacular runaway win over Benetton on Saturday night.
In front of just over 18 400 supporters at the Cape Town Stadium, the home team blitzed the Italian side with seven tries and won their third-last round-robin clash 56-5.
The victory moved John Dobson’s team into sixth place on the overall URC log just one point behind Cardiff who they must still face at home in a few weeks.
It was a fantastic team performance from the Capetonians, and they scored after only three minutes of play.
Gets taken out in the air, comes in clutch with the try assist 🤯👏
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is back with the magic ✨
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That first try was like a gut punch to Benetton and before they knew it, flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu added a penalty and drop goal in the opening stanza to increase the lead.
A bit of quick thinking by Feinberg-Mngomezulu in the 15th minute brought the second try. The flyhalf was tackled in the air while fielding a high kick, resulting in a penalty.
He tapped the ball, hit a gap and caught the Benetton defenders unawares, and sent a sweet pass to outside centre Dan du Plessis, who ran in for the converted try.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu dazzled again after his hat-trick exploits last weekend.
It will be difficult to lift him out of the saddle in the No 10 jersey the way he is performing, even if regular pivot Manie Libbok will return imminently.
Wingers Seabelo Senalta and Leolin Zas and flankers Marcel Theunissen and Paul de Villiers scored equally impressive tries.
Theunissen had a solo effort in the second half, picking the ball up at the back of a ruck and after being tackled, released it and got up again to stretch over the line in the tackle.
Zas again outstripped the defence after collecting the ball and ran in unopposed to go over for the fifth score.
Leolin Zas read that pass like a book 📖🤌
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The rolling maul for the try of De Villiers, who was aptly named Player of the Match, and a massive scrum to set up Feinberg-Mngomezulu scoring the final points of the night, encapsulated a brilliant team performance where the home side never allowed Benetton to get into the game.
Up front, it was De Villiers, Theunissen and Roos who led the physical charge, while Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Warrick Gelant dictated proceedings on the attack.
Two yellow cards were a small blemish on their performance, as well as when veteran Brok Harris left the field with what looked to be a knee injury.
He was walking after the game with a little limp, but the Cape side will hope it is not a serious injury so that they can give him a fitting farewell.
Pure power from Marcel Theunissen 😤🤌
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— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) April 26, 2025
But the way he was supported by his teammates after leaving the field suggested that the injury is a serious one.
Nevertheless, the Stormers poured everything into this performance and finished on a high ahead of a week-long break before facing two Welsh sides, Dragons and Cardiff, at home.
They will look to break into the top five with victories in those games.
For now, they can savour important back-to-back wins to boost their chances of claiming a favourable draw in the quarter-finals.
Points-Scorers
Stormers 56 – Tries: Sazi Sandi, Dan du Plessis, Seabelo Senatla, Marcel Theunissen, Leolin Zas, Paul de Villiers, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. Conversions: Feinberg-Mngomezulu (6). Penalties: Feinberg-Mngomezulu (2). Drop goal: Feinberg-Mngomezulu (1).
Benetton 5 – Try: Jacob Umaga.
