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The eagerly anticipated United Rugby Championship clash between the Stormers and the Sharks at DHL Stadium lived up to the hype, with the home team emerging victorious 24-20 in front of a packed crowd on Saturday.
Stormers flyhalf Manie Libbok played a crucial role in the team’s success, contributing with a key try and successfully converting it. This win is a significant boost for the Stormers, who had endured four defeats in their last five matches across different competitions.
The reigning champions from the 2022 season celebrated tries from returning players Seabelo Senatla and Deon Fourie early in the game. The Sharks responded with tries from Yaw Penxe and Jordan Hendrikse, who also added some penalties to their tally.
The match was a hard-fought contest, with the score tied at 10-10 midway through the second half. Libbok then executed an impressive try, giving the Stormers a 17-10 lead. However, Hendrikse quickly leveled the score again at 17-17 with his own try and conversion.
The Sharks briefly took the lead with a penalty from Hendrikse, but the Stormers fought back, with Jean-Luc du Plessis scoring a try in the closing moments of the game. Libbok’s successful conversion sealed the victory for the Stormers, concluding the match at 24-20.
Despite a strong late effort, the Sharks were unable to regain control of the match, suffering a setback following their recent victory against the Blue Bulls last weekend.
BKT United Rugby Championship, DHL Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa 28/12/2024
DHL Stormers vs Hollywoodbets Sharks
Salmaan Moerat of the DHL Stormers secures a kickoff
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/SteveHaagSport/EJ Langner
