Springboks star Damian Willemse inspires Stormers to streak ending victory over Munster
Springbok full-back Damian Willemse was in fine form for the Stormers in their win over Edinburgh.
Springboks utility back Damian Willemse delivered an outstanding performance at fly-half for the Stormers as they sealed a 34-19 bonus-point victory over Munster in Cape Town.
Willemse, who impressed with his game management and playmaking skills, took the fight to Munster throughout and helped the home side to their first-ever victory over the Irish province at their fifth attempt.
In the end, the Stormers outscored Munster by four tries to three with Ruhan Nel leading the way with a brace while Suleiman Hartzenberg and Marcel Theunissen also dotted down, with Willemse contributing 14 points courtesy of four conversions a penalty and a drop goal.
Munster’s points came via tries from Tom Farrell, Eoghan Clarke and Gavin Coombes while Jack Crowley succeeded with a couple of conversions.
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Hartzenberg went over for a fifth-minute try for the home side, with Willemse adding the extras.
But the Irish province fought back and Farrell crossed after Tadhg Beirne popped the ball out to him following a strong forward drive.
Munster went ahead after 26 minutes when Clarke touched down from a fine rolling maul.
Theunissen and Nel scored tries as the Stormers moved into a 21-12 lead with 46 minutes on the clock.
Coombes then crashed over after superb work again from the Munster back to reduce the South Africans’ lead to 21-19 with 12 minutes remaining.
But Willemse’s penalty and drop goal extended the Stormers’ lead before Nel’s second try secured the bonus point.
Willemse converted to secure the home side’s triumph which moves them off the foot of the United Rugby Championship table.
The teams
Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan du Plessis (c), 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Keke Morabe, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Marcel Theunissen, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Sti Sithole
Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Ruben van Heerden, 20 Dave Ewers, 21 Louw Nel, 22 Herschel Jantjies, 23 Jurie Matthee
Munster: 15 Mike Haley, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Tom Farrell, 12 Sean O’Brien, 11 Shane Daly, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jack O’Donoghue, 7 Alex Kendellen, 6 Tom Ahern, 5 Tadhg Beirne (c), 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 John Ryan, 2 Niall Scannell, 1 Jeremy Loughman
Replacements: 16 Eoghan Clarke, 17 Kieran Ryan, 18 Stephen Archer, 19 Fineen Wycherley, 20 Ruadhán Quinn, 21 Ethan Coughlan, 22 Billy Burns, 23 Gavin Coombes
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU, 83rd league game)
Assistant Referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU), AJ Jacobs (SARU)
TMO: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
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