Stormers thrash Zebre in Stellies as Senatla bags hat-trick

Seabelo Senatla scored a hat-trick as the Stormers surged into playoff contention in the United Rugby Championship with a brilliant 55-7 bonus-point victory over Italian club Zebre Parma in Stellenbosch on Sunday evening.

Senatla’s exploits were augmented by fellow wing Leolin Zas and hooker Scarra Ntubeni who each bagged two tries apiece in a convincing and dominant victory by the Stormers.

The first half at the Danie Craven Stadium was pretty much one-way traffic. The Stormers ripped their opponents to shreds. However, they also defended well and backed it up with a strong set-piece.

Zebre fightback not enough

Zebre Parma came back fighting after the break. Apart from scoring a great try, they also frustrated their hosts. It took 16 minutes before the Stormers troubled the scorers again. However, they got two in quick succession to take back the control.

The Stormers had came out firing, and the Italians had no answer for their hosts’ power upfront.

Three tries in the first 12 minutes told the story. Manie Libbok, Damian Willemse and Zas all crossed for the Capetonians inside the first 15 minutes.

Senatla leads Stormers try-fest

It took another 12 minutes before Senatla added his name to the score sheet with an intercept try from more than 50m out, and shortly before the break Ntubeni also got a fivepointer from a strong rolling maul, showing the DHL Stormers were not only about the flashy stuff.

Erich Cronje got Zebre Parma on the scoreboard with a great try from a clever kick by experienced Italy flyhalf Carlo Canna. The visitors took some heart from that, keeping the Stormers at bay.

Stormers find another gear

Senatla and Zas scored their second tries in a matter of minutes halfway through the second half, however, to get the momentum back.

Senatla’s effort was especially good, as he got the ball from a kick through by Zebre, chipped ahead and outpaced the Italians’ defence to score a great try.

There was then another lull in scoring from the hosts. However, when Asaeli Tuivuaka was red-carded for foul play five minutes from the end, the Stormers didn’t need another invitation, and Ntubeni was driven over from the ensuing lineout for his second try.

Senatla was deservedly named the Man of the Match after he closed proceedings with his third try.

Scorers: Stormers 55-7 Zebre

DHL Stormers 55 (33) – Tries: Manie Libbok, Damian Willemse, Leolin Zas (2), Seabelo Senatla (3), Scarra Ntubeni (2). Conversions: Libbok (4), Tim Swiel.

Zebre Parma 7 (0) – Try: Erich Cronje. Conversion: Carlo Canna.