The Capetonians were in control for most of the encounter and scored six tries without reply, again defending very well, but they stuttered at times and squandered a number of opportunities.

Three tries on each side of the break were more than enough though as the DHL Stormers, whose discipline was also very good, moved up one spot on the log to seventh.

Cardiff started the game very well and were camped in the DHL Stormers’ half in first 15 minutes, mainly thanks to some clever tactical kicking, while they also led 3-0 on the scoreboard courtesy of an early penalty goal by Jarrod Evans.

The hosts weathered the storm though and when presented with attacking opportunities, they pounced, with Warrick Gelant (fullback) instrumental in all three their first-half tries.

In the 17^th minute, playing from a turnover, the ball was spread wide by Gelant to left wing Leolin Zas, who chipped and gathered before putting Ruhan Nel (outside centre) away with an inside pass.

The game never really got going as both teams were guilty of making too many unforced errors, but in the 33^rd minute Zas was on hand to score the second try of the afternoon. The DHL Stormers again played wide, Gelant fly-hacked the ball forward before Seabelo Senatla (right wing) cleverly “batted” it back inside, where his wing-partner was waiting to dot down.

Manie Libbok, who converted the first try, finished the DHL Stormers’ third five-pointer on the stroke of half-time when Gelant chipped over the defensive line and after some slick handling, the Capetonians’ flyhalf raced away to score under the uprights.

The DHL Stormers failed to fire early in the second half though, with more lineout woes and some butter fingers costing them a number of scoring opportunities. But they found their groove midway through the half and scored three tries in seven minutes to put the result beyond all doubt.

Replacements Junior Pokomela (loose forward) and Rikus Pretorius (centre) scored from turnovers in the 61^st and 68^th minutes, while Evan Roos (No 8) was rewarded for his hard work with a try after a superb run in the 64^th minute.

Scorers:

DHL Stormers 40 (19) – Tries: Ruhan Nel, Leolin Zas, Manie Libbok, Junior Pokomela, Evan Roos, Rikus Pretorius. Conversions: Libbok (4), Tim Swiel.

Cardiff 3 (3) – Penalty goal: Jarrod Evans.