After leading for most of the match, the Stormers let it slip in the closing stages as they went down in a 22-18 defeat to Benetton Treviso in their opening United Rugby Championship fixture in Italy on Saturday.
The Stormers got off to an explosive start, with inside centre Rikus Pretorius pouncing on a loose ball and charging over for their first try just 70 seconds into the match.
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Benetton, who beat the Bulls in the Rainbow Cup final in June, retained their composure in the early stages and hit back with hooker Gianmarco Lucchesi finding a gap to score their first five-pointer.
Two penalties by flyhalf Manie Libbok, however, put the Stormers back in front and they were 11-7 ahead at the break.
Extending their lead soon after the restart, outside centre Ruhan Nel went over after an attacking scrum and Benetton looked to be in trouble.
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But the home side hit back again, with Ivan Nemer powering over after a lineout, and flyhalf Tomas Albornoz slotted the conversion as they trailed 18-14 midway through the second half.
Soon after, Albornoz was successful with a penalty attempt, bringing Benetton within just one point of the visitors (18-17).
And with less than 10 minutes left, Tommaso Menoncello went over in the corner to snatch the win.
Scorers
Stormers – Tries: Rikus Pretorius, Ruhan Nel. Conversion: Manie Libbok. Penalties: Libbok (2).
Benetton- Tries: Gianmarco Lucchesi, Ivan Nemer, Tommaso Menoncello. Conversions: Tomas Albornoz (2). Penalty: Albornoz.
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