The Stormers survived a ferocious challenge from Japan’s struggling Sunwolves to maintain their unbeaten start to the Super Rugby season on Saturday, winning a 10-try thriller in Singapore.
Photo from video
Trailing for most of the match after being caught out by the Sunwolves innovative attack, the South Africans needed all their extra big-match experience to wear down the tournament newcomers, who faded badly in the last quarter.
The Stormers piled on 24 unanswered points after trailing 31-20 in the second half to win their fourth match on the trot and deny the Sunwolves just their second win since they joined the competition last year.
Fresh after having a bye last weekend, the Stormers got a season-best six tries, one each from EW Viljoen, Rynhardt Elstadt, Wilco Louw, Dewaldt Duvenage, Mbongeni Mbonambi and Bjorn Basson, while flyhalf Robert Du Preez landed four conversions and two penalties.
The Sunwolves, who arrived in Singapore battling jetlag after playing in South Africa last weekend, threw caution to the wind and attacked the Stormers at every opportunity, a tactic that very nearly paid off.
They were rewarded with four tries, two from inside centre Derek Carpenter and one apiece from Shota Emi and Liaki Moli, but ran out of puff as they suffered their fifth straight loss of the season.
