Stormers denied at the death as controversial call seals lucky escape for Toulon

With time expired on the clock, the Stormers looked to have scored the winning try to complete a sensational comeback, but a controversial final call ultimately let Toulon off the hook.

The Stormers made a steady start but were forced onto the back foot early as Toulon struck first through scrumhalf Ben White, who sliced through the defence for the opening try - though flyhalf Jurie Matthee soon got his side on the board via a long-range penalty.

And it soon got even better for the visitors as lock Adre Smith collected a pass from Cobus Reinach before spotting a gap and powering over to give the Stormers a 10-7 lead after Matthee's conversion.

Toulon responded before the break through winger Gael Drean, who finished well out wide to edge the hosts back in front, before a late Matthee penalty ensured the Stormers stayed within touching distance, trailing 14-13 at halftime.

The Stormers came out with renewed intent after the interval and thought they had taken the lead early in the second half, only to be held up over the line. They continued to press, and their persistence paid off when Evan Roos crashed over from close range, with substitute Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu adding the extras to make it 20-14.

The momentum swung again when Toulon replacement Mathis Ferte crossed the whitewash to regain the lead, before Setariki Tuicuvu added another try to stretch Toulon's advantage to 28-20 heading into the final quarter.

Despite the setback, the Stormers refused to go away. They dominated territory late on and eventually broke through when replacement scrumhalf Imad Khan finished off a slick attacking move masterminded by Feinberg-Mngomezulu, whose subsequent conversion brought the visitors within a single point.

With time almost up, the Stormers pushed deep into Toulon territory in search of a match-winning score, as the hosts were reduced to 13 men under the relentless pressure. A rolling maul destined for the try line was cynically brought down, but the referee only penalised Toulon without awarding the Stormers the penalty try.

Again, the Stormers surged forward, and just when it seemed as if they'd scored the winning try, Toulon captain Charles Ollivon was ruled to have held the ball up over the line, with replays unable to show conclusive evidence otherwise. Ollivon also appeared to do so from an offside position, but the referee disagreed and ultimately handed the hosts a narrow and somewhat fortunate win.

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