The DHL Stormers scored a late try to snatch a late bonus-point victory over the Lions and secure fifth place in Cape Town on Saturday.
Trailing by nine points at half time and losing wing Angelo Davids to a second-half red card, the DHL Stormers showed immense character to fight back and grab a 29-24 victory.
The bonus-point win sees the Stormers finish fifth on the Vodacom URC log and the Cape side will travel to face the fourth-placed side in the quarter-finals next weekend.
Despite missing out on the victory they targeted coming into this game, getting a losing bonus point should be enough to see the Lions through to the quarter-finals as the eighth-placed finishers, after Benetton thrashed Edinburgh.
However, the Lions missed out on a place in next season’s Champions Cup, as they had to finish seventh or higher after the Sharks won the Challenge Cup.
The first half was played at an incredible pace, with the Lions punishing the Stormers’ errors through tries from Francke Horn and JC Pretorius to take a 21-12 lead into the break. Andre-Hugo Venter and Davids dotted down for the Stormers.
A penalty from Manie Libbok reduced the deficit to six points at the start of the second half, but just as it seemed the Stormers were working their way back into the contest, the hosts received a hammer blow when Davids was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Sanele Nohamba that left the Lions playmaker floored and needing to be stretchered off.
Marius Louw was also yellow carded for starting the ensuing fracas that sparked a bit of fire into the contest.
With the Stormers on the back foot, Evan Roos stood tall, ripping the ball from teammate Jean-Luc du Plessis and running 40 metres to score a sensational solo try under the poles.
What followed was a defensive masterclass from the home side as Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu made an excellent try-saving tackle in the corner to prevent what appeared to be a certain try for the Lions.
Jordan Hendrikse gave the Lions a two-point lead going into the closing stages with a penalty, but the Stormers made the most of one last attacking play, with big lock Smith forcing his way over after a massive driving maul.
Photo: Shaun Roy/Gallo Images
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