The Stormers opened their 2025/26 United Rugby Championship campaign with a commanding 35-0 victory over defending champions Leinster in Cape Town on Friday night.
The result extends the Cape side’s head-to-head record against the Irish giants to three wins in five meetings. Leinster have claimed just one win in this rivalry, with one match ending in a draw. Notably, this latest victory is not the Stormers’ first blowout in the fixture – they beat Leinster 42-12 in April 2024, which remains the biggest winning margin between the two teams since the URC’s inception.
MATCH RECAP
Despite what the final scoreline might suggest, the Stormers had to work hard in the first half to overcome a resolute Leinster defence. They dominated the set pieces early but were repeatedly held out by committed tackling and discipline from the visitors.
Two penalty goals were all the Stormers had to show at half-time, leading just 6-0 at the break despite controlling much of the territory and possession.
But the second half belonged entirely to the home side.
Leinster were caught in a perfect storm after the restart, as the Stormers finally cracked their defensive line and shifted into a higher gear. No 8 Evan Roos was immense, scoring twice and leading the charge in both attack and defence. Jurie Matthee and Stefan Ungerer also dotted down as the Stormers ran in four unanswered tries in an outstanding all-round performance marked by power, precision, and control.
It was a display worthy of a title contender – composed, physical, and ruthless when it mattered.
Coach John Dobson’s men struck the perfect balance between tactical kicking, set-piece dominance, and sharp phase play. The halfback pairing of Matthee and Ungerer controlled the tempo smartly, while the forwards laid a dominant platform.
Defensively, the clean sheet speaks volumes. Leinster, fielding a strong side with names like Robbie Henshaw, Jordan Larmour, and Luke McGrath, were simply shut down at every turn.
STORMERS AND LEINSTER TEAMS
Stormers – 15 Wandisile Simelane, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel (captain), 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Adré Smith, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Vernon Matongo.
Subs: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Olly Reid, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Ruben van Heerden, 20 Ruan Ackermann, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Dewaldt Duvenage, 23 Clinton Swart.
Leinster – 15 Jimmy O’Brien, 14 Tommy O’Brien, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Ciarán Frawley, 11 Jordan Larmour, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Luke McGrath (captain), 8 James Culhane, 7 Scott Penny, 6 Ryan Baird, 5 Brian Deeny, 4 Diarmuid Mangan, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Gus McCarthy, 1 Jack Boyle.
Subs: 16 John McKee, 17 Paddy McCarthy, 18 Andrew Sparrow, 19 Max Deegan, 20 Will Connors, 21 Fintan Gunne, 22 Harry Byrne, 23 Hugh Cooney.
