Stormers hold off Lions fightback to win South African derby

The Stormers survived a second-half Lions fightback to prevail 35-33 at Emirates Airline Park in their United Rugby Championship opener.

After PJ Botha crossed early for the Lions, the Stormers moved 32-7 in front thanks to tries from Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (2), Joseph Dweba and Herschel Jantjies. Clayton Blommetjies kicked three conversions and a penalty while Feinberg-Mngomezulu also landed a three-point.

But tries from Henco van Wyk, Ruan Venter, Morne van den Berg and Francke Horn, three of them converted, either side of a Feinberg-Mngomezulu penalty saw the Lions move to within two but they had to settle for two losing bonus points.