Sacha stars as Stormers rocket up URC table with big win over Benetton

This was billed as a tough challenge for the Stormers against an in-form Benetton side lying in fifth place on the URC table, but it turned out to be a very one-sided contest.

The hosts scored seven tries in a dominant display, securing the bonus point well before the final whistle, while their defence stood tall to deny Benetton for long periods despite sustained second-half pressure from the Italians.

Flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu was instrumental in the win, scoring 26 points through a try, six conversions, two penalties and a drop goal, and pulling the strings expertly in a fast-paced, open affair.

The tone was set early when tighthead prop Sazi Sandi rumbled over for the opening try in the fourth minute, before Feinberg-Mngomezulu added a penalty and a sweetly struck drop goal to stretch the lead to 13-0.

Dan du Plessis crossed next after a clever quick tap and offload from the flyhalf, and Seabelo Senatla's score on the half-hour mark effectively put the result beyond doubt, handing the Stormers a 30-0 lead at the break.

Benetton got on the scoreboard early in the second half when flyhalf Jacob Umaga cut through from close range, converting his own try. But the visitors' momentum was short-lived as the Stormers immediately struck back with a try from Marcel Theunissen straight from the restart.

Zas added his name to the scoresheet with a well-read intercept try before a final maul-driven effort from captain Paul de Villiers sent the hosts even further clear.

There was time for one final try, fittingly scored by Feinberg-Mngomezulu after Evan Roos picked up the ball at the base of the scrum and offloaded to the flyhalf who came in on an angled run to cap off a superb evening for John Dobson's men.

The emphatic result lifts the Stormers into fifth place on the URC log and suggests they are hitting form at the perfect time as the playoff race heats up, with two more home games against Cardiff and the Dragons to come. 

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