The Stormers will rue their goal-kicking, including a sloppy conversion attempt by Clayton Blommetjies, which would have secured the home side a victory.

The Bulls started the game in the Mother City with a bang, as lock Cobus Wiese scored a try in the opening minute.

The Stormers managed to strike back in the 10th minute, with Springbok tighthead prop Frans Malherbe dotting down. However, a try by Jan-Hendrik Wessels helped the Bulls maintain their lead.

Salmaan Moerat flying over for his try - X

Shortly before half-time, Stormers and Springbok captain Salmaan Moerat scored following sustained pressure, but the visitors did enough to take an 18-17 lead into the break.

The second half began much like the first for the Bulls, with centre Harold Vorster crossing the whitewash.
 The arm-wrestle continued throughout the half, with neither side managing to gain real ascendancy. The lead changed hands a few times.

Although the Stormers outscored the Bulls in terms of tries, David Kriel's kicking off the tee proved decisive.

Right on the stroke of full-time, Ben-Jason Dixon scored a try that should have sealed the victory for the Stormers. However, former Toyota Cheetahs fullback Blommetjies missed the conversion from almost straight in front of the posts. He took too long to tee up the ball and was rushed by the shot clock, which was down to its final seconds. As a result, he hurried his attempt and missed what should have been a straightforward conversion.

Warrick Gelant - X

The Bulls head back to Loftus Versfeld with five points in the bag and a record of seven wins from nine games in the URC. Some consolation for the Stormers will be the two losing bonus points, but they will know they let this one slip.

Scorers:

Stormers: Tries - Frans Malherbe, Salmaan Moerat, Evan Roos, Warrick Gelant Conv. - Jurie Matthee 2 Pen. - Matthee

Bulls: Tries - Cobus Wiese, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Harold Vorster, Ruan Vermaak Conv. - David Kriel 2 Conv. - Kriel 3

Morgan Piek OFM Sport