The Stormers achieved a significant 16-12 victory over Connacht, thanks to two final penalties by Manie Libbok, during the last home game of the season at Dexcom Stadium. Sadly, retiring fullback Tiernan O’Halloran didn’t get a victorious farewell in his home city of Galway. This loss puts Connacht’s top-eight aspirations into jeopardy.
Despite Connacht’s strong defense, which limited the South African team to only Libbok’s penalty, the Irish team took a 7-3 lead into the break. This lead was courtesy of a try from Caolin Blade in the thirtieth minute and a conversion by Jack Carty.
The game saw tries from both Angelo Davids and Connacht’s substitute Jack Aungier, but it was Libbok’s 11-point haul that decided the choppy match in Stormers favour. This is a historic win for Stormers, being their first on Irish ground in six attempts. It also solidifies their quarter-final position.
The match was lively from the start, with both teams exploiting the width of the field. However, Stormers’ decision to take the set piece in the 19th minute after two early scrum penalties proved fruitful. Although O’Halloran and Blade were successful in keeping Davids at bay, another penalty allowed Libbok to notch the first points.
Connacht triumphed in the thirtieth minute, when Blade managed to score from a ruck after a penalty, followed by a perfect conversion by Carty. The second half saw a revitalised Stormers team, with Libbok using Gelant’s flick to break through Connacht’s defense and feed Davids for a try, putting the South Africans ahead with the score at 10-7.
The Stormers’ lack of discipline opened up opportunities for Connacht to advance once again. Propelled by a maul platform, hefty pickups by Sean Jansen and Bundee Aki set the stage for Aungier, who capitalised on the opportunity and scored from close quarters.
Oisin Dowling secured a turnover penalty, leaving the Stormers trailing behind. However, Libbok masterfully executed a 45-meter penalty, lessening the deficit to just one point with a score of 13-12.
The Springbok’s front row pulled off a penalty kick at the scrum, four minutes later, notching up points yet again. A chain of handling errors, however, led Connacht to a disappointing close.