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Stormers get bonus-point win but can't plant knockout blow

rugby22 March 2026 15:29| © SuperSport
By:Brenden Nel
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Springbok flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu scored 19 points as the DHL Stormers laboured to a bonus-point 29-21 win over the Welsh side Dragons, taking them into the second spot on the Vodacom United Rugby Championship log.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu scored two tries early in the first half, a penalty and three conversions of the Stormers’ four tries, but it was a performance that would have frustrated coach John Dobson for the Stormers’ inability to plant the knockout blow.

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While there was never a chance the Stormers were going to lose the game, and they led from start to finish, their own mistakes, as well as the Dragons’ ability to claw their way back into the game, made this a match the Stormers will be relieved to see behind them.

It certainly was by no means a classic performance, and at times the Stormers’ had more than 70 per cent possession and territory, were dominating every facet of the game, but couldn’t get far enough ahead of the Dragons to be comfortable at any point.

DRAGONS DESERVE CREDIT

Dobson’s side will point to their 19 turnovers, some wrong decisions at crucial times and an inability to execute as their key problems, but the Dragons deserve credit for fighting until the end.

At times it was inexplicable that the scoreline was still close, but the Dragons’ ability to keep in touch, and keep the scoreboard ticking worked in their favour.

The way the game ended was also a far cry from the way it started, and two early Feinberg-Mngomezulu tries set the tone for what looked like a very one-sided performance.

But somehow the Stormers struggled to cross the line and the Dragons kept on coming at them, making the most of all the scraps of play they had.

Dobson will know that while it was mission accomplished and they walked away with all five points on offer, it certainly was by no means a performance that the coaching staff would feel confident at.

A desperate Edinburgh arrive next week and while on paper the Stormers should have enough firepower to take another step towards a home playoff, a repeat performance could see them in a bit of bother at times.

SCRUM DOMINATION

What worked incredibly well for them was the total domination in the scrums. Between Vernon Matongo and Ntuthuko Mchunu on the one side and Neething Fouche on the other, they caused a few nightmares for the Dragons’ front row and almost won a penalty on cue every time the packs went down.

The lineout was another strong feature and the maul delivered a try, although not as dominant as it was at Loftus Versfeld a week ago.

But it was in the execution in the red zone that the Stormers will be unhappy as mistakes and turnovers - especially at the breakdown will need some work.

The game started off at an incredibly high pace, and Feinberg-Mngomezulu got his side on the board early by running a beautiful line into a hole to go over untouched.

His second was also quick thinking from scrumhalf Imad Khan, who reacted quickly when a dropped ball from a lineout maul close to the line spilt out unexpectedly, scooping it up and his combination with Feinberg-Mngomezulu telegraphed so well for the flyhalf to run around and go over for his second.

SACHA DID MORE THAN SCORE

Feinberg-Mngomezulu would also make a try-saving tackle later in the first half and stop Dragons winger Rio Dyer from scoring late in the game when he looked to get to a ball in the in-goal area milliseconds before the Welsh winger had scored.

While he did make a few mistakes, this was another classy performance from the Springbok pivot.

Dragons, despite having almost no ball in the first half, scored late through big Seb Davis, who ran in untouched as the Stormers claimed obstruction to no avail.

An early second-half penalty by Feinberg-Mngomezulu extended the lead, and a few minutes later the Stormers maul got its reward when Evan Roos went over at the back for their third try.

Thomas Young hit back for a try from close range to keep the Dragons in touch but then Wandisile Simelane added the bonus point try on the hour mark by getting the ball on the far touchline, grubbering it ahead and snatching the ball as it bounced horribly for Dyer over his head and into the Stormers’ hands to score.

Dyer was denied by Feinberg-Mngomezulu late in the game but got his try shortly afterwards, running onto an inside pass to score.

And despite several penalties in the red zone in the final minutes, the Stormers simply kept on making mistakes, and couldn’t get over the line.

A win is a win, and second spot right now is sweet for Dobson, but it is understandable that Stormers’ supporters would be disappointed with the result, as the domination never turned into the points they wanted.

Scorers

DHL Stormers - tries: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (2), Evan Roos, Wandisile Simelane. Conversions: Feinberg-Mngomezulu (3). Penalty: Feinberg-Mngomezulu

Dragons - tries: Seb Davies, Thomas Young, Rio Dyer. Conversions: Angus O’Brien (3)

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