DHL Stadium | 10 October 2026
By Marco Jacobs
The DHL Stormers produced a powerful performance to defeat the Hollywoodbets Sharks 39–22 in their United Rugby Championship derby at DHL Stadium on Saturday, with an overall attendance of 42,360.
Wearing their new black kit, the Stormers ran in six tries, with their scrum proving the decisive weapon in a commanding display against their South African rivals.
Before kick-off, Cheslin Kolbe, Wilco Louw and Siya Kolisi received a warm welcome back from Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.
Stormers Take Control Before Half-Time
The Stormers opened the scoring in the sixth minute when Seabelo Senatla crossed in the right-hand corner after sustained pressure. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu missed the conversion, but added a penalty in the 13th minute following another powerful scrum to make it 8–0.
The Sharks responded through Manu Tshituka in the 15th minute, although Vusi Moyo missed the conversion. Senatla thought he had scored a second try shortly afterwards, but the TMO ruled it out after his foot made contact with the touch-in-goal area.
The Sharks showed their own scrum strength through Ox Nché before replacement Gianni Lombard levelled the scores at 8–8 with a penalty in the 29th minute. Lombard had replaced Moyo, who left the field with a shoulder injury.
Momentum shifted again when Sharks captain André Esterhuizen was shown a yellow card for a no-arms tackle. The Stormers immediately exploited their numerical advantage.
Hacjivah Dayimani crossed in the left-hand corner in the 36th minute, with Feinberg-Mngomezulu converting. Hooker André-Hugo Venter then added a second try in the 42nd minute, and another successful conversion gave the Stormers a 22–8 half-time lead.
Scrum Dominance Extends the Lead
The Stormers resumed with the same intensity after the interval. Leolin Zas finished in the left-hand corner to extend the advantage to 27–8, although the conversion went wide.
A thrilling foot race between Senatla and Sharks winger Ethan Hooker followed. Hooker narrowly reached the ball first but was dragged over the try line, handing the Stormers a five-metre scrum.
From there, the home pack took control. The Stormers drove the Sharks backwards to produce a push-over try for Dayimani, completing his brace. Feinberg-Mngomezulu converted, stretching the lead to 34–8.
The Sharks refused to fold. Matt Romao crossed in the 50th minute, with Lombard converting, before Phepsi Buthelezi scored seven minutes later. Lombard added the extras again, reducing the deficit to 34–22.
Siya Kolisi was replaced by Deon Fourie as the Stormers sought to preserve their control and manage the closing stages.The hosts restored their momentum in the 63rd minute when JJ Kotze crossed for their sixth try. Feinberg-Mngomezulu missed the conversion, leaving the score at 39–22.
The Stormers continued to dominate the scrum, producing another powerful effort in the 77th minute as they closed in on a comprehensive victory.
The Scrum Makes the Difference
The Stormers’ forward pack provided the platform for the win, with Wilco Louw making an immediate impact as the hosts repeatedly drove the Sharks backwards at scrum time.
Dayimani’s second try was the clearest illustration of that dominance, converting sustained forward pressure into points. The Stormers also displayed attacking variety, with six different try-scoring contributions across the match.
The Sharks scored three tries and mounted a spirited second-half fightback, but Kotze’s response ensured the visitors never threatened a full recovery.
Full-Time: Stormers 39–22 Sharks
The Stormers will take confidence from a convincing derby victory built on forward power, scrum dominance and clinical finishing. For the Sharks, the set-piece battle will be a key area to address after a difficult afternoon at DHL Stadium.
Kairos Sport — By Marco Jacobs