Flank and captain Siya Kolisi led by example and was instrumental in the thrilling 34-26 victory of the DHL Stormers over the Chiefs on Saturday evening in Cape Town.
The Springbok flank scored one try and was a standout figure in defence for the Cape side, who not only managed to maintain their unbeaten start to the season, but also avenged their disappointing loss to the Chiefs in last year’s playoffs on the same ground.
The outstanding performance leaves Robbie Fleck’s team with six wins from six starts thus far this season and they are the runway leaders in the Africa Conference 1 standings with 29 points.
It was also a successful Saturday for the Cell C Sharks, who managed to grind out a hard-fought 18-13 win over the gritty Jaguares from Argentina. The coastal side had a slender 8-6 advantage at halftime.
The win leaves Robert du Preez’s team just one point behind the Emirates Lions (23 points), who had a bye over the weekend, and three in front of the Jaguares in Africa Conference 2. However, they both have played one more than the Highveld team. The Lions will be facing front-runners, the DHL Stormers, this coming weekend in Cape Town.
In the first match of the day involving teams from South Africa, the Vodacom Bulls stumbled to a first-ever loss to the Sunwolves in Tokyo. The Japanese outfit won 21-20 to record a historic victory and also to register their first win of the season.
The Sunwolves capitalised on the late yellow card shown to Springbok Jan Serfontein and they scored 10 points in the last 10 minutes to rally to their first win of the season.
In the only match played on Sunday, the Southern Kings were beaten 46-41 by the Force in a highly entertaining match in Perth. Both teams scored six tries, including a penalty try for the Force, while Malcolm Jaer grabbed a hat-trick for the Eastern Cape side.
The Toyota Cheetahs, Emirates Lions, Crusaders and Rebels all enjoyed byes the past weekend.
Other Round 7 results:
Friday, April 7
Hurricanes 38, Waratahs 28
Saturday, April 8
Highlanders 26, Blues 20
Brumbies 43, Reds 10
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