Super Stormers stay unbeaten with hard-fought win over Benetton in Treviso

Benetton are a tough team to beat in Treviso, but despite the wet and slippery conditions, the Stormers recovered from a sluggish first half to outmaneuver their hosts, securing a fifth consecutive win to head into the international break on a high.

Tighthead prop Sazi Sandi opened the scoring early on, crashing over from close range after sustained pressure. Flyhalf Jurie Matthee missed the conversion, and the Stormers were soon made to pay as Jacob Umaga slotted three penalties to give Benetton a 9-5 advantage midway through the first half.

The home side then struck with a superb team try, finished by Louis Lynagh after a slick passing move involving Tommaso Menoncello, stretching the lead to 16-8 at the break.

The Stormers - missing several regular starters - struggled for rhythm early on, losing Seabelo Senatla to injury after ten minutes and conceding a string of penalties that allowed Umaga to keep Benetton in front.

However, coach John Dobson's men emerged revitalized after the restart. Matthee landed an early penalty before scoring a well-taken try, slicing through the defence to level the scores at 16-16. He converted his own effort to nudge the Stormers in front for the first time since the opening minutes.

From there, the Stormers tightened their grip. Matthee added two further penalties to build an eight-point cushion, while replacement scrumhalf Cobus Reinach brought tempo and control in his Stormers debut.

Benetton's last real chance came when Umaga pulled a penalty narrowly wide from 25 metres out - a miss that proved costly as the Stormers closed out the game clinically.

In the dying moments, lock Adré Smith sealed the victory, barging over from close range after Benetton failed to secure a lineout near their own line. Matthee converted to complete a personal haul of 21 points and confirm victory for the visitors.

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