Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu puts on clinic as Stormers slay Dragons
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu scored two tries and contributed 19 points as Stormers beat Dragons 29-21 in Cape Town to climb up to second place in the United Rugby Championship.
South Africa fly-half Feinberg-Mngomezulu twice combined brilliantly with scrum-half Immy Khan to go over for two tries, converting both, to put the Stormers 14-0 up in the 17th minute.
Dragons responded and, after second row Seb Davies’ converted touchdown, they produced some enterprising rugby to trail 14-7 at half-time and finish the first period on the front foot.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s penalty early in the second half checked Dragons’ momentum and, after Stormers number eight Evan Roos barged over from close range for a converted score, the home side extended their lead to 24-7.
Dragons hit back again through replacement flanker Thomas Young’s first try for the club to cut the deficit to seven points, but Stormers centre Wandisile Simelane caught his own kick ahead to go over for a bonus-point try and put his side 29-14 ahead.
The Welsh side closed the gap to 29-21 with seven minutes left after wing Rio Dyer went over for their third converted try, but it was not enough and they remain second from bottom after their eighth URC defeat of the season.
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU, 114th league game)
AR 1: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU) AR 2: Sean Muller (SARU)
TMO: Robbie Jenkinson (IRFU)
DHL Stormers: Damian Willemse, Seabelo Senatla, Ruhan Nel (CAPT), Dan du Plessis, Leolin Zas, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Imad Khan, Vernon Matongo, JJ Kotzé, Neethling Fouché, Adré Smith, JD Schickerling, Deon Fourie, Marcel Theunissen, Evan Roos
Replacements: André-Hugo Venter, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Sazi Sandi, Ben-Jason Dixon, Paul de Villiers, Hacjivah Dayimani, Stefan Ungerer, Wandisile Simelane
Dragons RFC: Cai Evans, Jared Rosser, Fetuli Paea, Aneurin Owen, Rio Dyer, Angus O’Brien (CAPT), Rhodri Williams; Jordan Morris, Elliot Dee, Chris Coleman, Levi Douglas, Seb Davies, Ryan Woodman, Harry Beddall, Harrison Keddie
Replacements: Brodie Coghlan, Wyn Jones, Owain James, Barny Langton-Cryer, Thomas Young, Niall Armstrong, Jac Lloyd, Fine Inisi