Woeful Stormers blow top-two finish as Cardiff seal URC playoff spot

The visitors struggled to control their own ball at the breakdown and looked increasingly out of ideas as they squandered one try-scoring opportunity after another through poor decision-making and ill-discipline.

Cardiff, meanwhile, were clinical on attack and committed on defence as they made certain of a spot in the playoffs - no less than they deserved for outclassing their opponents in virtually every department on the night.

The Stormers started well with lock Adre Smith powering over from close range in the seventh minute, but that would be as good as it got for John Dobson's side.

Cardiff quickly settled into the contest, and punished the Stormers' inability to convert territory into points. Jacob Beetham struck first for the hosts after collecting a clever kick from Ioan Lloyd before weaving through two defenders to score.

Cardiff then grabbed the lead through Tom Bowen after slick handling exposed gaps in the Stormers defence.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu kept the visitors in touch with a penalty to reduce the deficit to 12-10 after half an hour.

But the closing stages of the first half proved costly for the Cape side. Smith was sent to the sin bin for a high tackle just before the break and Cardiff immediately made the numerical advantage count when Lloyd squeezed over in the corner after sustained pressure. The missed conversion left the hosts with a 17-10 halftime advantage.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu narrowed the gap to four points with another penalty early in the second half, but hopes of a comeback were quickly halted when Lloyd produced a brilliant finish in the corner for his second try of the night to extend Cardiff's lead to 22-13.

From there, the Stormers battled to find a way through Cardiff's defensive line or overcome their own lack of composure.

With time running out, the Stormers were forced to accept defeat and opted to take three points on offer, at least securing a losing bonus point to ensure they will finish no worse than third on the log. 

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