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Andre-Hugo Venter crashes over to score a try for Stormers - Getty Images/Ashley Vlotman
Stormers 39 Leicester Tigers 26
Leicester’s Champions Cup last-16 hopes were left in tatters after defeat by the Stormers in Cape Town.
Early tries from Evan Roos and Andre-Hugo Venter put the hosts in control before George Pearson pulled one back.
Some Will Wand magic hauled the Tigers back into the match at half-time and they led by six when Jamie Blamire went over early in the second half.
However, tries from Leolin Zas and JD Schickerling edged the Stormers back in front before Tom Manz scored for Leicester.
But Imad Khan denied the Tigers a losing bonus point when his late try sent Stormers through.
Instead, a losing bonus point against Harlequins on Sunday will be enough for La Rochelle to qualify and knock out Leicester.
More to follow...
Team details
Stormers: Simelane, Maart, Hartzenberg, Roche, Zas, Feinberg Mngomezulu, Ungerer, Mchunu, Venter, Fouche, Schickerling, van Heerden, de Villiers, Dixon, Roos.
Replacements: Kotze, Matongo, Porthen, Evans, Theunissen, Khan, Burger, Mars.
Leicester Tigers: Pearson, Hamer-Webb, Wand, Woodward, Hassell-Collins, Searle, Whiteley, Haffar, Blamire, Hurd, Thompson, Wells, Moro, Williams, Cracknell.
Replacements: Theobald-Thomas, van der Flier, Loman, T. Manz, Ilione, Allan, Bailey, Crowley.
Referee: Jeremy Rozier (FRA)
05:14pm
Full-time | Stormers 39 Leicester Tigers 26
The Stormers are back on the horse after their thrashing at the Twickenham Stoop and are through to the last 16. We wait to see whether they will be at home. Barring a Harlequins win in La Rochelle tomorrow, they will be.
Leicester deserve immense credit for their part in this game, though. A rotated line-up, without several of their front-liners, picked up four tries and stayed in the contest throughout. It looks likely that they will head into the Challenge Cup.
05:08pm
Try, Imad Khan! Stormers 39 Leicester Tigers 26
Khan has been lively off the bench for the Stormers and that is a really impressive finish on the back of a dominant scrum. He steps inside Hamer-Webb and keeps fighting towards the try-line to stretch over.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu has the final say, slotting the conversion.
05:05pm
79 mins: Stormers 32 Leicester Tigers 26
The scrum penalties are piling up now as the clock ticks towards 80 minutes.
05:04pm
Leinster prevail in Bayonne
Leo Cullen’s men have won 22-13. They did not land a bonus point, which may see them end up as third seeds, but they are through as pool winners.
05:01pm
76 mins: Stormers 32 Leicester Tigers 26
The rain is coming down rather heavily and, as Leicester look to move it wide, Pearson spulls.
05:00pm
75 mins: Stormers 32 Leicester Tigers 26
Just five minutes remaining and there is a Tigers scrum around halfway.
Paul de Villiers, the Stormers flanker, has been named as player of the match. He’s been mobile and muscular.
04:58pm
Try, Tom Manz! Stormers 32 Leicester Tigers 26
Bonus point for Tigers, too! Manz towers over Khan and charges down the Stormers scrum-half before winning the race to the loose ball. Leicester are back within a score, even though Searle cannot convert.
04:57pm
Penalty, Imad Khan! Stormers 32 Leicester Tigers 21
Khan has taken over the kicking duties from Feinberg-Mngomezulu and he slots three points.
04:56pm
Stormers 29 Leicester Tigers 21, 70 minutes
The Stormers have grasped the scrummaging ascendancy definitively.
04:55pm
Bayonne update
Leinster are trailing 13-10 with eight minutes remaining.
04:53pm
Try, JD Schickerling! Stormers 29 Leicester Tigers 21
Loping lock on the loose! Even with 14, Stormers pick off the defence to bag the bonus point.And it looks a long way back for Tigers now.
Schickerling’s finish is fantastic. He sells a dummy to Pearson and opens his stride to go over from about 40 metres.
04:50pm
65 mins: Stormers 22 Leicester Tigers 21
Pearson rises to catch another Stormers high ball. Hamer-Webb plucks a Whiteley box-kick but the Stormers turn the ball over and move it to their right...
04:48pm
64 mins: Stormers 22 Leicester Tigers 21
Leicester go wide, working the ball to Hassell-Collins, and make around 30 metres.
They have to come again from a line-out on the Stormers 22, though, and there is a knock-on. They annount afford those errors.
04:46pm
Yellow card, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu!
Could that be a big moment? Feinberg-Mngomezulu seems to have few complaints as he leaves the field.
Leicester go from facing a penalty on their own try-line to a line-out on the Stormers 22.
04:44pm
TMO check
Referee Rozier wants to look at a carry from Feinberg-Mngomezulu into Will Wand. It looks like the Springboks fly-half shoved his forearm into the face of Wand.
04:43pm
62 mins: Stormers 22 Leicester Tigers 21
Stormers are pummelling away at close range with a penalty advantage... we will come back for the penalty. Leicester are working hard here.
04:40pm
60 mins: Stormers 22 Leicester Tigers 21
Joaquin Moro has been busy for Tigers and attempts to nab a breakdown steal but knocks on. Stormers scrum on the Leicester 22 as we reach the final quarter.
04:38pm
58 mins: Stormers 22 Leicester Tigers 21
An important jackal turnover from Evan Roos derails Tigers. The Stormers can set up a line-out on the Leicester 22.
04:37pm
57 mins: Stormers 22 Leicester Tigers 21
Emeka Ilione on for Tigers. He tends to make an impact...
04:36pm
55 mins: Stormers 22 Leicester Tigers 21
The scrum battle might be swinging towards the Stormers. They’ve won a set-piece penalty but there is a technical infringement from ther Stormers as they feed a line-out in the Leicester 22.
04:31pm
52 mins: Stormers 22 Leicester Tigers 21
Mix-up in the Leicester midfield as Searle aims a cross-field kick that hits Tom Manz. Accidental offside, scrum to the Stormers.
04:29pm
Try, Leolin Zas! Stormers 22 Leicester Tigers 21
Pearson cannot gather a high ball and Stormers punish Tigers, keeping possession and going over when Leolin Zas finds himself on the end of a flurry of offloads.
04:26pm
47 mins: Stormers 15 Leicester Tigers 19
Let-off for Leicester. Roos splits them with a pick and go before spilling in the tackle of Searle.
More good work from the Tigers pack, who pick up a scrum penalty.
04:24pm
Try, Jamie Blamire! Stormers 15 Leicester Tigers 19
Tigers are back in front, with Blamire finishing sharply in the middle of a meaty maul. The hooker burrowed through the bodies to score and Searle has converted from out wide. Fancy that.
04:22pm
43 mins: Stormers 15 Leicester Tigers 14
Stormers seem to turn on the power at the scrum but do so illegally. Tigers have a penalty and kick it to within five metres...
04:21pm
42 mins: Stormers 15 Leicester Tigers 14
More smart attack from Tigers as they swing the ball back blind before Ollie Hassell-Collins grubbers in behind.
Stormers go short from the goal-line drop-out and need to absorb more pressure until there is a handling error from Leicester.
04:19pm
Back underway in Cape Town
The hosts lead by a point.
04:11pm
Half-time in Bayonne
The hosts are still 10-3 in front.
04:08pm
Half-time | Stormers 15 Leicester Tigers 14
Leicester have not read the script. After going down 12-0 and seeing Will Hurd sent to the sin bin early on, they have rallied. Defiant in defence and bold with the ball, Tigers are spreading it wide when possible.
Billy Searle is distributing nicely from fly-half and their own tries were well taken. George Pearson looks a special talent.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has just kicked Stormers back in front, and an inexpeciable miss from Searle did not help, but the Prem team are well in this game.
04:05pm
Penalty, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu! Stormers 15 Leicexster Tigers 14
Easy kick for the Stormers skipper.
04:04pm
40 mins: Stormers 12 Leicester Tigers 14
Feinberg-Mngomezulu is looking to haul Stormers back into this. He picks and goes past the fringe of a ruck, causing Leicester to infringe. With the penalty advantage, Feinberg-Mngomezulu sends a grubber into the back-field that is fumbled by Dylan Maart with the try-line begging.
We will come back for the penalty.
04:01pm
37 mins: Stormers 12 Leicester Tigers 14
Just three minutes before the break now
Tom Manz is on for Tigers and chucking his weight around.
03:59pm
35 mins: Stormers 12 Leicester Tigers 14
Stormers over-throw the line-out - neither team has really found a rhythm in that area - and Sam Williams gets on the ball.
Tigers win a penalty for a no-arms tackle... but Searle somehow misses from the tee. That was as close to a “gimme” as it gets.
03:57pm
33 mins: Stormers 12 Leicester Tigers 14
Line-out gaffe from Leicester but Will Wand nabs an interception as Stormers run the ball out and Tom Whiteley bounces a hooked kick into touch. Stormers will have to throw in 10 metres out from their line.
03:55pm
32 mins: Stormers 12 Leicester Tigers 14
Tigers pressing on the edge of the Stormers 22. They eventually earn a line-out after a Pearson kick.
03:54pm
30 mins: Stormers 12 Leicester Tigers 14
Tigers concede a scrum free-kick as we tick past the half-hour.
George Pearson climbs to gather the high ball, flicking an offload to keep the ball alive, and the Stormers are penalised at the next breakdown.
03:51pm
Try, Will Wand! Stormers 12 Leicester Tigers 14
Leicester lead. Well, wow.
It’s a beautiful try, too. Joe Woodward goes at the line and plays a pull-back to Billy Searle, who launches Will Wand in a second wave.
The outside centre slices clear and steps past the last defender to score.
03:47pm
25 mins: Stormers 12 Leicester Tigers 7
Tigers are going after the Stormers here, with Searle pulling strings beautifully. His long pass releases Hamer-Webb on the right and there is a smart kick in behind when the ball comes back left.
Stormers can only slice a clearance to touch.
03:46pm
Try, George Pearson! Stormers 12 Leicester Tigers 7
He does not turn 20 for just over a week, and Pearson is on the board.
Leicester made metres with the maul before pulling the trigger and a long pass sent Pearson spearing over.
03:44pm
22 mins: Stormers 12 Leicester Tigers 0
Big chance for Leicester after the ball bobbles off the cornerflag back into Feinberg-Mngomezulu and then out again. Five-metre line-out to the visitors.
03:43pm
News from Bayonne...
Leinster are trailing 10-3. A long way to go, obviously, but that would have major raminfications for the tournament.
03:40pm
19 mins: Stormers 12 Leicester Tigers 0
Will Wand carries in midfield and Feinberg-Mngomezulu is penalised for shooting in at the side.
Tigers go to the corner... but Jamie Blamire’s throw is wonky.
03:39pm
18 mins: Stormers 12 Leicester Tigers 0
Another period of possession for Tigers, who spread the ball from coast to coast. Hamer-Webb attempts a chip but Stormers clean up.
03:38pm
Try, Andre-Hugo Venter! Stormers 12 Leicester Tigers 0
Stormers heave at the maul before Venter breaks off and dives over. Feinberg-Mngomezulu cannot convert from out wide his team are well in front.
03:35pm
13 mins: Stormers 7 Leicester Tigers 0
Roos finds himself in space and Searle does well to wrap him up. Leicester infringe at the breakdown, though, so Stormers have a penalty on the Tigers 22. They hit touch.
03:33pm
12 mins: Stormers 7 Leicester Tigers 0
Roche pounces to force a turnover after Gabriel Hamer-Webb stretches his legs on the Tigers right.
03:31pm
9 mins: Stormers 7 Leicester Tigers 0
Leicester recover possession from the restart, with Olly Caracknell carrying deep into the opposition 22, but Stormers get it back after a kick-pass from Billy Searle to Ollie Hassell-Colllins.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu kicks long and Pearson goes to touch for Tigers.
03:30pm
Try, Evan Roos! Stormers 7 Leicester Tigers 0
Stormers are on the board. It’s quite simple, too. Feinberg-Mngomezulu runs a simple switch with Jonathan Roche, who carves up the middle and links with his fly-half. Roos follows up to receive an offload and stretch over as Tigers scramble.
03:27pm
Yellow card, Will Hurd!
What a swing.
We come all the way back for a high tackle from Will Hurd on Ntuthuko Mchunu, who has left for a head injury assessment, in the Stomers’ last passage of possession.
A yellow card is the right call, but it took the television match official some time to identify the offence.
03:23pm
4 mins: Stormers 0 Leicester Tigers 0
Well, the Stormers have been messy in possession so far and they have coughed up another turnover.
Tigers move the ball crisply towards their right flank and George Pearson chips ahead. Stormers carry the ball over their own try-line and there are some handbags.
I think they started with Joe Woodward and Feinberg-Mngomezulu. Stormers hooker Andre-Hugo Venter and Harry Wells were at each other as well.
03:20pm
3 mins: Stormers 0 Leicester Tigers 0
Scrum penalty to Tigers. Big celebrations from Tom Whiteley.
03:19pm
3 mins: Stormers 0 Leicester Tigers 0
We’ve had our first flash of Feinberg-Mngomezulu magic. He rises to catch a high ball in the back-field and bursts into space, linking with scrum-half Stefan Ungerer.
The latter kicks ahead and Tigers carry the ball over the try-line. Five-metre put-in to the hosts.
03:18pm
2 mins: Stormers 0 Leicester Tigers 0
Good start for Leicester as the Stormers completely botch a strike move to start.
03:17pm
1 min: Stormers 0 Leicester Tigers 0
Feinberg-Mngomezulu sends the kick-off very high. It isn’t caught cleanly, but Tigers gather and then clear to touch.
03:16pm
Players out
The referee today is Jeremy Rozier. We’re ready to go. Stormers will be kicking off.
03:15pm
Sacha set for a big 2026
His rise continued in 2025 and this year could be another special one for Springboks star Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
That four-Test series against the All Blacks looms large.
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AFP
03:05pm
Challenge Cup for Tigers?
Teams that finish fifth in their Champions Cup pool drop down into the Challenge Cup. I reckon Leicester fans would fancy that. Bath did the same last season and won the second-tier tournament.
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AFP
02:54pm
Kick-off in 20 minutes
Leinster are taking on Bayonne at the same time before La Rochelle’s clash with Harlequins completes the pool 3 schedule. It would be a major surprise if Leinster and the Stormers did not finish up at home in the last 16.
02:46pm
Travel chaos and Prem commitments
Without wishing to write off Tigers too readily, a comfortable win for the Stormers seems the most obvious outcome today.
Leicester lost to La Rochelle and Leinster over the first two rounds and they visit Harlequins in the Prem on January 24. Added to that, I understand their travel to Cape Town was hit by delays and disruption.
Perhaps Parling’s side will surprise us.
02:40pm
Hi there
Good afternoon everyone and welcome to our coverage of this Champions Cup pool encounter between the Stormers and Leicester Tigers. I am not in Cape Town, sadly. It is towards of 20 degrees Celsius out there. Even so, I will be keeping you up to date with goings-on at DHL Stadium.
Neither team has guaranteed their passage to the last 16 yet, but the hosts are heavy, heavy favourites here. The bookies have given them a 21-point head start, which is punchy handicap and an indication of the way this game is expected to go. That is not unfair.
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CameraSport
John Dobson’s charges were terrible last weekend against Harlequins on the way to a 61-10 defeat. “Humiliating” was the one-word review offered by the Stormers boss, who picked a smattering of internationals.
Some big guns are back for today. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu starts at fly-half and captains. Neethling Fouche and Evan Roos are among those to bolster the starting back. It is a pretty safe bet that the Stormers will look more like the team sitting top of the United Rugby Championship.
Put simply, Geoff Parling has signalled his eagerness to maintain momentum in the Prem. None of Freddie Steward, Jack van Poortvliet, Nicky Smith, Joe Heyes, Ollie Chessum or Tommy Reffell are playing. It is still a decent Leicester squad, with several frontal-liners starting and Emeka Ilione on the bench. But an away win would be a significant shock.
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