Robbie Fleck’s team enjoyed the majority of possession and territory but they were unable to convert their many opportunities into points, and they also turned down several penalty kicks. The Brumbies, in turn, finished off their scoring opportunities and put in a massive defensive shift  to fend off the numerous attacks on their goal line.

The Cape side returned home from Australasia with a win over the Rebels in Melbourne in their last tour game and they were considered favourites for their home match against the visitors from Canberra. But it was the Brumbies who went into the halftime break with a slender 12-10 lead having scored two tries, while the Cape side was awarded a penalty try and succeeded with a penalty goal.

Pete Samu handed the Aussies the lead when he went over as early as the sixth minute. Josh Stander, the DHL Stormers’ flyhalf, then put the home team’s first points on the scoreboard with a penalty goal. Rory Arnold, who also had a hand in their first try, scored from his own charge down for the Brumbies’ second try to hand them a 12-3 advantage.

There was drama at the end of the first half when a high tackle by winger Toni Pulu on scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies, who was on his way to the try line, resulted in a penalty try to the Cape side. That seven pointer brought the Capetonians to within just two points of the visitors.

The huge frame of Springbok prop Wilco Louw crashed over for the hosts’ third try of the afternoon to hand them the lead (17-12) for the first time in the match five minutes after halftime. However, they were unable to add to that score although they came close on many occasions.

Tom Banks, the visiting fullback, then scored the winning try in the 57^th minute when he went over out wide following a patient build up.

The DHL Stormers now face the Vodacom Bulls at home next Saturday while the Brumbies fly out to Argentina for their fixture with the Jaguares.

Scorers:

DHL Stormers 17 (10) - Tries: Penalty try, Wilco Louw; Conversion: Josh Stander; Penalty: Stander

Brumbies 19 (12) - Tries: Pete Samu, Rory Arnold, Thomas Banks; Conversions: Christian Lealiifano (2).