Stormers face reality check after historic loss to Sharks

Leighton Koopman

The Stormers are in desperation mode in the United Rugby Championship (URC) after yet another loss, this time a first-ever to the Sharks in the tournament.

It took a cancelled try after an earlier knock-on by replacement flyhalf Manie Libbok at a ruck for the Sharks to secure the 22-17 win at Kings Park in Durban.

Late drama at Hollywoodbets Kings Park 😲

A little knock-on chalks off the DHL Stormers try and the Hollywoodbets Sharks hold on for the win 👇#VURC pic.twitter.com/b4yTHF2xes

— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) November 30, 2024

While the Cape side was their worst enemy, squandering chance upon chance in the first half, two crucial breakdown calls by referee Marius van der Westhuizen saw the Sharks claim seven points and seven points cancelled for the visitors. Stormers director of rugby admitted his side made life difficult for themselves with the errors.

He was left a bit baffled by the try of Sharks centre Andre Esterhuizen after captain Siya Kolisi was laying on the side of the Stormers at a previous ruck, preventing scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies from getting clean ball at the breakdown. The Sharks then turned the ball over for Esterhuizen to score a crucial try.

So, too, the breakdown where Phepsi Buthelezi was playing the ball in an apparent offside position just before Libbok knocked on which ended the match after TMO Marius Jonker spotted the little touch on the deck.

“That is probably something worth enquiring about.”

“That is probably something worth enquiring about,” Dobson said, about the Kolisi incident.

“I don't know how you get a ball out on a 'use it' if there is a body in the way without lifting the ball. If you lift it, the ball is out. And then the opposition scored a try. So we need to know what we do if we are in this position.

“(Saying) Anything towards the end of the game will look like sour grapes. But I do know Dan (du Plessis, captain) and the guys were frustrated with that Herschel call. I haven't seen it properly.”

Late drama in Durban but it ends in defeat. #SHAvSTO #iamastormer #dhldelivers @Vodacom #URC pic.twitter.com/Y4iBHW2jT2

— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) November 30, 2024

According to Dobson, the loss hasn't changed anything for them and they will still be challenging for a top-eight spot in the URC, while they will go full mettle in this weekend's Champions Cup opener in Gqeberha against three-time champions Toulon.

Despite being in 13th position (out of 16 teams), the inaugural champions haven't given up on their season just yet. Their next two home derbies at the DHL Stadium against the Lions (21 December) and Sharks (28 December) have become must-win clashes.

“Those two derbies are non-negotiable now.”

"Those two derbies are non-negotiable now," Dobson added.

On the clash itself, Dobson said he was proud of the fight they showed towards the end to try and secure the win.

"There's lots to be hopeful for at the Stormers. I don't think many people gave us a chance (against a Bok-laden Sharks) and looking back, we were pretty unlucky to have lost it.

"Losing Sacha (Feinberg-Mngomezulu to a concussion) was a helluva blow. And in a six-two bench split, if you lose a back early, towards the end of the game you end up with Herschel (a scrumhalf) on the wing. He is not a natural winger, but almost scored the winner.

“Sacha was a big disruption, I think he is concussed.”

"Sacha was a big disruption, I think he is concussed. That was also interesting. He gets head contact and is concussed and comes straight off after the tackle.

"The penalty count also put us under pressure, while they stole a couple of balls at the breakdown. That is my department and sometimes we were really good and cleaned well, but there were two holding penalties and stolen ones."

Dobson confirmed none of the injured players would be returning ahead of Toulon, except prop Frans Malherbe.

The Stormers' scrum was excellent against the Sharks, apart from a couple of penalties, and they will be encouraged by the performance of props Ali Vermaak, Neethling Fouche, Brok Harris, and Sazi Sandi in the absence of their Springboks.