The Stormers XXIII kept their hopes of reaching the Carling Currie Cup Premier Division semifinals alive when they thrashed the Bulls XV 50-26 at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.
The Cape side will have everything to play for in their final league match when they face the Lions at Ellis Park on Friday (kickoff 5.05pm).
A resurgent Stormers side absorbed some early pressure before striking themselves, when Markus Muller cruised over for the opening try after receiving the ball in the Bulls’ 22 from his flyhalf Kyle Smith.
It was Smith who scored and converted the second try, finishing an impressive attacking movement as the Cape side hit their stride before the forwards got in on the act, with big Herman Lubbe forcing his way over from close range.
The Bulls got on the scoreboard when hooker Siposethu Mnebelele crossed from a maul to make it 19-7.
The Stormers XXIII scored two more tries before the end of the first half as a Joel Leotlela intercept was followed by hooker Vernon Paulo barging his way over between the poles on the stroke of half-time.
Leotlela scored his second try early in the second half, but the Bulls responded with a double-strike from centre Demitre Erasmus and replacement hooker Jon Hobson.
The Stormers XXIII opted to take the points when they were on offer, with Smith slotting a penalty with 15 minutes to play, which took the lead out to 43-19.
Both teams scored maul tries, with the visitors having the final say as a conversion from Smit made it a half-century.
Scorers:
Bulls XV 26: Tries: Siphosethu Mnebelele, Demitre Erasmus, Jon Hobson, Kebotile Maake. Conversions: Keagan Johannes (3).
Stormers XXIII 50: Tries: Joel Leotlela (2), Markus Muller, Kyle Smith, Herman Lubbe, Vernon Paulo, Eric Basson. Conversions: Smith (6); Penalty: Smith.
Other scores: Pumas 14 Griffons 38, Sharks XV 22 Lions 22.
Weekend fixtures: Friday: Lions v Stormers, Sharks v Bulls, Pumas v Cheetahs. Sunday: Boland v Griquas. — Stormers Media
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