Ruben Van Heerden scores for the Stormers against the Sharks.

Ruben Van Heerden scores for the Stormers against the Sharks.

Sharks swept aside by ruthless Stormers

The Stormers were merciless as they ran in six tries to complete a 46-19 demolition job over the Sharks in Durban in Saturday.

Ruben Van Heerden scores for the Stormers against the Sharks.

Ruben Van Heerden scores for the Stormers against the Sharks.

The Stormers were merciless as they ran in six tries to complete a 46-19 demolition job over the Sharks in Durban in Saturday.

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The thumping bonus point victory sees victory sees the Stormers solidify their position in second place on the United Rugby Championship log, seven points clear of the third-placed Ulster.

The Stormers seized control from the get-go and they didn’t once relinquish that ascendancy.

As for the Sharks, they go from this derby with more questions than answers. They were out-muscled in the collisions, out-smarted tactically and simply out-played across the park.

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Both sides where without several of their international players due to the mandatory Springbok resting protocols.

Be that as it may, it was the Stormers who made their intentions clear early when a bit of individual magic from Manie Libbok put his halfback partner Herschel Jantjies over for the first try in the third minute.

The Stormers continued to exert unrelenting pressure and the Sharks’ brittle defence had no answer. The visitors scored twice more and added a penalty for a 24-7 lead at half-time.

The script didn’t change after the interval, as the Stormers’ versatile attack continued to probe and the Sharks’ defence continued to fold.

John Dobson’s Stormers doubled their try tally with three further touchdowns. And while the Sharks managed to muster up a second seven-pointer, it would be the Stormers and Libbok who would have the final say as the impressive flyhalf knocked over a penalty to round off the rout.

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SHARKS VS STORMERS SCORERS AND TEAMS:

Sharks – Tries: Gerbrandt Grobler (2), Dan Jooste. Conversions: Curwin Bosch (2).
Stormers – Tries: Herschel Jantjies, Ruben van Heerden, Joseph Dweba, Seabelo Senatla, Suleiman Hartzenberg, Manie Libbok. Conversions: Clayton Blommetjies (1), Manie Libbok (4). Penalty Goals: Libbok (2).

Sharks — 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Marnus Potgieter, 13 Ben Tapuai, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Thaakir Abrahams, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Cameron Wright, 8 Phendulani Buthelezi (captain), 7 Henco Venter, 6 James Venter, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Hyron Andrews, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Subs: 16 Dan Jooste, 7 Dian Bleuler, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Reniel Hugo, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Lionel Cronje, 23 Yaw Penxe.

Stormers — 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Marcel Theunissen, 7 Junior Pokomela, 6 Deon Fourie (captain), 5 Gary Porter, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Brok Harris.
Subs: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Ben-Jason Dixon, 20 Willie Engelbrecht, 21 Keke Morabe, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

Stormers vs Sharks full-time graphic
Sharks vs Stormers full-time graphic.