By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Stormers beat Connacht 29-15 to secure bonus-point win at the Sportsground in Galway on Friday night to get their 2026/27 United Rugby Championship (URC) campaign off to the perfect start.
The Cape side will be thrilled to get five points from a very tricky encounter, and they will now head to Scotland for next week’s encounter with Edinburgh with plenty of confidence and a chance to get two from two in their season opening away tour.
The Stormers trailed 12-10 at half-time, having led 10-0 but surrendered their advantage as Connacht struck twice before the break.
The home team played 10 minutes of the contest with 14 men after No 8 Paul Boyle’s yellow card for a cynical infringement in the 54th minute.
The Stormers made the extra man count, outscoring Connacht by seven points during that period, replacement prop Sazi Sandi barging over under the posts after several phases of pressure from the forwards.
Dobson made several enforced changes to the Stormers side before kick-off, with loose forwards Evan Roos (hamstring) and Marcel Theunissen (calf) ruled out.
Riley Norton, initially named at lock, shifted to blindside flank in place of Louw Nel, who moved to No 6 and Gary Porter started in the second row. Utility back Wandisile Simelane replaced Theunissen on the bench.
Flyhalf Jurie Matthee opened the scoring with a penalty before fullback Warrick Gelant finished a clever grubber from debutant André Warner for the first try. Matthee added the extras as the visitors controlled the middle stages.
The hosts responded late, with winger Mack Hansen crossing after a quick pick-and-go, and No 15 Sam Gilbert converting, before flyhalf Josh Ioane crashed over from close range.
Sandi crossed the whitewash for Matthee to convert and put Dobson’s troops 17-15 in front before the final quarter.
Vernon Paulo then forced his way over to extend the lead, and the Stormers sealed victory in the closing seconds when fellow substitute and debutant Ezekiel Ngobeni finished a clever Seabelo Senatla kick.
Connacht – Tries: Mack Hansen, Josh Ioane. Conversion: Sam Gilbert. Penalty: Gilbert.
Stormers – Tries: Warrick Gelant, Sazi Sandi, Vernon Paulo, Ezekiel Ngobeni. Conversions: Jurie Matthee (2) Yaqeen Ahmed. Penalty: Matthee.