Late surge sees Stormers beat Munster to climb off URC bottom spot

Munster came up short in Cape Town as they fell to a 34-19 United Rugby Championship defeat to Stormers at DHL Stadium. Suleiman Hartzenberg went over for a fifth-minute try for the home side, with Damian Willemse adding the extras.

But the Irish province fought back and Tom Farrell crossed after Tadhg Beirne popped the ball out to him following a strong forward drive. Munster went ahead after 26 minutes when Eoghan Clarke touched down from a fine rolling maul.

Marcel Theunissen and Ruhan Nel scored tries as Stormers moved into a 21-12 lead with 46 minutes on the clock. Gavin Coombes crashed over after superb work again from the Munster back to reduce the South Africans’ lead to 21-19 with 12 minutes remaining.

But a Willemse penalty and drop goal extended the Stormers lead before Nel’s second try secured the bonus point. Willemse converted to claim a personal haul of 14 points and move the home side off the foot of the table.