Stormers and Sharks kick off Currie Cup with hard-fought wins

The Stormers XXIII ended a long winless run against defending champions Griquas with a dramatic late victory 25-19 in Cape Town, while the Sharks held off a spirited second-half comeback from the Pumas in Mbombela to secure the points in a 26-24 win.

Stormers End Griquas Hoodoo with Late Ungerer Winner

The Stormers claimed a thrilling 25-19 victory over defending champions Griquas at Cape Town Stadium after scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer crossed for the winning try in the final moments.

Ungerer's score was checked by the TMO after concerns that he may have lost control of the ball before grounding it, but the try was awarded to seal a memorable win for the hosts.

The result also ended the Stormers' eight-match losing streak against the Kimberley side.

It was a fiercely contested encounter dominated by penalties and cards. The Stormers were shown three yellow cards, while Griquas received two yellows, with replacement Derik Pretorius' offence later upgraded to a 20-minute red card.

The Stormers struggled with discipline throughout the match, conceding 18 penalties, allowing Griquas to control large periods of the first half.

Jean-Luc du Plessis opened the scoring with an early penalty before Griquas hit back through Sako Makata, who powered over for the opening try after sustained pressure.

The home side's problems grew when Gerbrandt Grobler and Cornel Smit were both sent to the sin bin, and Griquas took advantage as Lourens Oosthuizen crossed from a driving maul.

The Stormers responded just before the break when hooker Vernon Paulo finished a clever line-out move to cut the deficit to 12-8 at half-time.

The hosts started the second half strongly as Cornel Smit broke through before setting up Mfundo Ndhlovu for a try, with Dominic Malgas adding the conversion and later extending the lead with a penalty.

Griquas regained the advantage after Tiaan Lang scored and George Whitehead converted, before another yellow card reduced the Stormers to 14 men once again.

The visitors were then dealt a blow when Pretorius was sent off under the 20-minute red card law, before Carel van der Merwe received a late yellow card that handed momentum back to the Stormers.

Ungerer made the decisive break in the closing minutes to score the match-winning try and give the Stormers a winning start to the season.

Matthews Hat-Trick Helps Sharks Hold Off Pumas Fightback

Lyle Matthews marked his Sharks debut with a hat-trick as the Durban side edged the Pumas 26-24 in a dramatic Currie Cup opener at Mbombela Stadium.

The Sharks looked in complete control after taking a 19-5 lead into half-time, but the Pumas produced an impressive second-half comeback that almost stole victory.

The home side struck first when Lundi Msenge finished in the corner after a sweeping attack, although Nevaldo Fleurs was unable to add the conversion.

The Sharks gradually settled into the contest and levelled matters through Matthews, who finished off a well-worked move following a line-out steal. Lionel Swiel converted to put the visitors ahead.

Matthews grabbed his second try after Johan Momsen's strong run created space, before completing his hat-trick later in the half. Swiel added the extras as the Sharks opened up a comfortable 19-5 advantage.

The visitors secured a bonus point shortly after the restart when Kerron van Vuuren forced his way over from a driving maul.

The Pumas thought they had responded through Thomas Bursey, but the TMO ruled out the try after spotting a forward pass earlier in the move.

The hosts refused to give up and soon crossed through Chyle van Zyl before building sustained pressure in the final quarter.

Tino Swanepoel finished in the corner to reduce the deficit before JJ Scheepers powered over for the Pumas' fourth try, cutting the gap to just two points with 10 minutes remaining.

The home side continued to press for a winning score, but an overhit 50/22 attempt in the closing stages handed possession back to the Sharks, who held on to secure a narrow opening-round victory.

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