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Stormers gained a measure of revenge of for last season’s humiliating play-off defeat by maintaining their 100 per cent start to the season with a thrilling 34-26 beating of Chiefs, whose own unbeaten start came to an end.
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Robbie Fleck had faced New Zealand opposition just once as Stormers head coach before Saturday’s Super Rugby contest at Newlands, and that ended in a 60-21 battering in the favour of Chiefs.
It was a different outcome on this occasion, though, as Stormers edged a fine contest by running in four tries to three.
Sikhumbuzo Notshe scored the first try of the game for the hosts in just the third minute, only for an Aaron Cruden penalty and a score from Toni Pulu to have the Chiefs in front.
The lead continued to switch with Stormers captain Siyamthanda Kolisi scoring before Pulu had his second for Chiefs.
But Stormers took control of the match with tries either side of the break from Robert du Preez and SP Marais.
James Lowe scored out wide for Chiefs to make it an interesting finale, but Stormers held firm for a sixth straight win.
Full-time at #DHLNewlands and #DHLStormers have beaten Chiefs 34-26 to take unbeaten run to 6 games! #STOvCHI #iamastormer #WeStandTogether
— DHL STORMERS (@THESTORMERS) April 8, 2017
Meanwhile, Sharks rebounded from a tight defeat to Lions last time out by narrowly defeating Argentinian side Jaguares 18-13 at Kings Park.
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Cobus Reinach’s early unconverted try for the hosts was cancelled out by Nicolas Sanchez’s two penalties, but Curwin Bosch split the posts himself to have Sharks leading 8-6 at the break.
Andre Esterhuizen touched down shortly after the break, but Sharks were forced to withstand a nervy ending when Agustin Creevy scored for Jaguares – only for another Bosch penalty to ease their fears.
