Springbok forward Manny Livbok played a huge role in the Stormers’ 12-16 win over Connacht in Galway, playing a key role in their play-off prospects.
The Stormers scored just one try on the day, with Angelo Davids assisted by Livbok, who converted and kicked three important penalties.
Connacht played hard rugby and actually scored more tries than their rivals, with Kaolin Blade and Jacques Angier crossing in each half and Jack Carty scoring one conversion.
Click here for teams and scorers
It was the Stormers’ sixth attempt and their first win on Irish soil, effectively sealing their place in the quarter-finals.
Both teams played wide in the early stages, with Suleiman Hartzenberg slotting in from behind for the visitors, and O’Halloran soon having the chance to stretch out on the opposite wing.
Two early scrum penalties forced the Stormers to take the set-piece option in the 19th minute. O’Halloran and Blade denied Davids’ shot near the left corner, but a further penalty gave Livbok the lead.
O’Halloran was turned over and quickly won a penalty inside the visitors’ 22 before TMO Stefano Penne found Warwick Geraint’s pass forward and Davids missed a strong breakaway try.
Springboks’ participation in the Ireland series is in doubt after Jasper Wiese sweats and is sent off due to mental breakdown
There was no denying Connacht had the tap option again from a penalty just after the half-hour mark, with scrum-half Blade ducking out of a ruck and Jack Carty adding a fine conversion.
The Stormers remained tryless despite two defense-slashing runs from Damien Willemse and a late lineout maul, but they were back to their clinical best by the 50th minute.
Livbok used a flick from Geraint to cut through Connacht’s 22 points, sending Davids in support and the Stormers fly-half converting to make it 10-7.
However, the Stormers’ indiscipline forced Connacht forward again, with Shaun Jansen and Bundy Aki carrying powerfully from the maul and finally Angers scoring from close range.
Oisin Dowling’s turnover penalty left the Stormers with a point, but Livbok converted a superb 45-metre penalty to make it 13-12.
A scrum penalty allowed the Springboks to crack the post again four minutes later, leading to a flurry of knock-ons and a disappointing end for Connacht.
Cardiff shine in Durban with big win
Cardiff won the 14-a-side Sharks 36-14 in the United Rugby Championship in Durban.
Sharks flanker Tino Mabesele was sent off after just 20 minutes for a shoulder challenge on the head of Cardiff and Wales full-back Cameron Wynnett.
The visitors earned a bonus point by half-time with tries from Alan Lawrence, Ben Donnell, Willis Haraholo and James Botham, with flyhalf Ben Thomas scoring three conversions.
Lock Corn Rahr was the only member of the Sharks’ starting lineup that survived their last home loss to Benetton.
None of the Sharks’ current Springbok internationals featured until the EPCR Challenge Cup final against Gloucester in London.
Cardiff encountered little trouble in scoring five points, a rarity in this match, with Thomas adding a second-half penalty and Wales back Mason Grady scoring a late try, which Thomas converted.
The home side scored touchdowns from center Diego Apolis and substitute Kerwin Bosch, with Bosh and Lionel Cronje converting each, but the Sharks had no complaints after winning in all major categories.
14-a-side Lions dominate Glasgow Warriors to stay in play-off contention, Ospreys hold off Dragons for survival
No. 8 Lawrence scored Cardiff’s first try after 15 minutes, underscoring the difficult task the Sharks had.
However, the difficulty level increased sharply after Mabesele was shown a red card and Cardiff immediately scored.
More work from the forwards turned the Sharks’ defense around and Donnell benefited, with Thomas’ conversion extending the lead to 14 points.
Cardiff then went from behind with Cronje converting Apolis’ try, but quickly bounced back as Haraholo did his best to break through the Sharks line before Thomas added two more points.
Botham’s goal six minutes before the interval gave Cardiff a bonus point, and Cardiff went into half-time with a 26-7 advantage.
Thomas’ penalty put the Sharks even further behind, and with eight minutes remaining, Grady crossed for Thomas, who scored, and Bosh scored the equalizer in the 78th minute.
read more: Canaan Moody’s hat-trick leads Bulls to nine tries as they chase down Benetton
