Superb Du Plessis footwork seals Stormers win

Debutant Western Stormers fly-half Jean-Luc du Plessis displayed exceptional footwork to score the final try in a 46-19 Super Rugby triumph over Sunwolves in Cape Town Friday.

Reduced to 14 men by the red-carding of lock Timothy Bond, the Japanese franchise had done well to keep the South Africans scoreless for nine minutes before Du Plessis struck.

Using his left foot, his right and left again after being hemmed in by the touchline, the playmaker passed opponents and created space before grasping the ball and dotting down.

Scoring the seventh try sealed a bonus point and a fifth win in six outings for Stormers, who led 27-5 at half-time before a 20,000 crowd at Newlands stadium

It also crowned an impressive first 80-minute Super Rugby outing for Du Plessis, the 21-year-old son of former Springbok winger Carel who was deputising for injured Kurt Coleman and Robert du Preez.

A round 7 victory for the hosts was never in doubt against the Tokyo-based Super Rugby newcomers, who were suffering a sixth successive loss, including two in South Africa.

Stormers were often too strong and skilful at the scrums, forced many turnovers, and constantly threatened with ball in hand.

But Sunwolves recovered bravely after being overrun in the early stages and seemingly in danger of being overwhelmed when conceding 27 points within 25 minutes.

Tries either side of half-time encouraged the visitors, who matched the South Africans at the line-outs and looked dangerous when they ran with the ball.

Victory lifted Africa 1 conference leaders Stormers to 23 points, nine more than compatriots Northern Bulls, who play Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth Saturday.

Another South African outfit, Central Chetahs lie third with seven points and a Sunwolves side coached by New Zealander Mark Hammett are bottom with just three.

"Scoring seven tries and collecting a bonus point was great," said Stormers co-captain and centre Juan de Jongh. "Now we must prepare for a tougher challenge at the Golden Lions next weekend."

Sunwolves hooker and skipper Shota Horie said: "Although we struggled at some scrums, we improved on our performance last weekend when losing to Kings. A poor start cost us dearly."

Flanker and official man of the match Sikhumbuzo Notshe scored two tries for Stormers and winger Kobus van Wyk, hooker Scarra Ntubeni, De Jongh, scrum-half Louis Schreuder and Du Plessis one each.

Du Plessis succeeded with four conversions and one penalty from nine shots at goal.

South African full-back Riaan Viljoen scored two tries and scrum-half Yuki Yatomi one for Sunwolves and fly-half Yu Tamura slotted two conversions.

New Zealand-born Bond was sent off nine minutes from time for a late shoulder charge on Stormers full-back Cheslin Kolbe.