Tries by the thousands in Super Fan Saturday

The DHL Stormers powered their way to a 34-21 triumph over an energetic Emirates Lions at the same venue.

The reshaped Bulls were especially impressive before the break and their power upfront and impressive pace at the back made life very difficult for the Sharks in a very impressive and entertaining first half display for the hosts.

Springbok and Stormers captain Siya Kolisi completed his first match since his injury in the first Vodacom Super Rugby match of the year back in February and the loose forward scored one of his team’s three first-half tries, which handed them a 20-7 lead.

Lions captain Elton Jantjies showed his class with a neat display in the first half against the Stormers despite playing behind a retreating pack of forwards during that time.

Kurt-Lee Arendse and David Kriel scored two tries apiece as they led the Bulls to a comfortable victory.

The hosts started the match with a bang, running in five tries in the first half, with Blitzbok speedster Arendse scoring twice, while their solid defence limited the KwaZulu-Natalians to only one try in the opening stanza for a 35-7 half-time lead.

The second half played out vastly differently, with the visitors outscoring the home side three tries to two, but the Bulls’ dominant first-half display was enough to secure their first victory under new coach Jake White.

The Stormers’ powerful pack laid the platform for a well-deserved 34-21 triumph over the Lions. The Capetonians scored three tries to one in the first half and then managed two more after the break despite a lively second half display from their opponents.

It was the Stormers who went into the break with a 20-7 lead following three tries and a penalty goal in the opening half of their first match back since Covid-19 interrupted the rugby season for six months.

The Lions made wholesale changes in the second half and gave an energetic and encouraging display in the second stanza.