Stormers, Bulls snatch tight victories as Springboks return to action in pre-season double-header

The Stormers edged the Sharks 21-19 in a pre-season encounter in Soweto on Sunday.

Both teams scored three tries on the day with Sharks wing Makazole Mapimpi and Stormers scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies both scoring two tries.

In the end, it was only a conversion that separated the two teams.

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After sustained pressure inside the Stormers’ 22 the Sharks thought they had opened the scoring in the 16th minute when wing Sibusiso Nkosi crashed over the tryline after receiving the ball on the blindside from the scrum.

However, after a few replays, the TMO decided that Nkosi lost control of the ball before he grounded it.

Instead, it was the Stormers who got the first points of the game in the 26th minute when scrumhalf Jantjies was given acres of space to run in for a try after maul inside the Sharks’ 22.

Damian Willemse added the extra two points with the conversion for a 7-0 lead.

The Sharks finally got on the board in the 32nd minute after some sensational play from their backline.

After a quick tap was taken in their own half from a penalty, the ball was spread wide to Lukhanyo Am who kicked the ball over the Stormers’ backline. The ball was then it was collected by Mapimpi, who raced over in the corner for a try.

At half-time it was 7-5 in favour of the Stormers.

The Sharks took the lead in the 49th minute when Mapimpi ran in for his second try of the game after some great running and handling from his teammates in the backline. Curwin Bosch was successful with the conversion to give his team a five-point lead.

However, their lead did not last long after Jantjies intercepted a Louis Schreuder pass to sprint in for his second try of the match. Willemse added the extras and the Stormers were in front by two points.

The Stormers extended their lead in 71st minute when replacement scrumhalf Godlen Masimla chased down a chip kick from Sergeal Petersen to score his team’s third try of the match.

Jean-Luc du Plessis made it a nine-point lead with the conversion.

The Sharks kept in touch after Marius Louw gathered the ball from a chip kick to race away for a try in the 74th minute, which Boeta Chamberlain converted.

Meanwhile, a late Cornal Hendricks try helped the Bulls edge the Lions 40-35 in the follow-up match of the double-header at FNB Stadium.