Stormers v Sharks: Five takeaways as Capetonians ‘turn the screw’ at scrum time while Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu ‘on a different planet’
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu impressed for the Stormers.
Following a 39-22 victory for the Stormers over the Sharks in Cape Town, here’s our player ratings from the United Rugby Championship clash.
The top line
The Sharks had their two-game winning streak ended on Saturday as they went down to an impressive Stormers side in this South African derby.
Seabelo Senatla, Hacjivah Dayimani (2), Leolin Zas, Andre-Hugo Venter and JJ Kotze crossed for the hosts in a thoroughly deserved triumph.
Manu Tshituka, Matt Romao and Phepsi Buthelezi got the Sharks’ tries as they were second best up front, suffering a first URC loss of the season.
Indeed, the Capetonians turned the screw at the scrum today (more on that below) and that helped lay the platform for their backline to profit.
Scrum dominance
It was a frustrating afternoon for Sharks props Ox Nche and Thomas du Toit, with the latter especially being pinged several times at the scrum.
Up against Wilco Louw and Ntuthuko Mchunu respectively, the Sharks duo coughed up four penalties in the first-half at the scrum, and things didn’t get much better in the second as an early pushover try from the set-piece summed up the Stormers’ success in this facet of play.
Of course, dominance in this area shouldn’t be attributed to any one thing or player, with credit therefore going to all of the Stormers’ forwards.
Dayimani’s day
Denied a hat-trick due to a Damian Willemse knock-on, but a treble would have been just rewards for Dayimani after a fine day at the office.
He dovetailed nicely with the double openside threat of Siya Kolisi and Paul de Villiers today and with a tight five that was flexing all afternoon, Dayimani was able to capitalise in the wide open spaces. A brace was his return on a day the Stormers pack made a real statement.
Sacha quality
It might not have been a faultless showing off the kicking tee, but in all other areas, the Springboks fly-half was on a different planet today.
The extra second a player has in possession is a sign of their quality and Feinberg-Mngomezulu appeared to have two today; such was his impact on the field. Playing with a smile on his face, he unlocked holes for others and himself, kicked brilliantly territorially and was a running threat to boot.
This performance is an encouraging sign, not just for the Stormers but also the Boks in November’s Tests.
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Etzebeth concern
The Springboks veteran’s game lasted just 35 minutes as he eventually departed, this after struggling with what appeared to be a knee problem. The Sharks medical staff did attempt to relieve the pain by strapping the lock up, but their efforts proved unsuccessful as he was replaced.
Rassie Erasmus will no doubt be straight on the phone to the second-row to ascertain the severity of the injury with the hope his exit was precautionary rather than anything more serious. JP Pietersen will also be interested as matches at Lyon, Cardiff and Munster await in October.
READ MORE: Stormers v Sharks: Result, scorers, match stats, line-ups