All Blacks secure late victory in opening tour match against Stormers
A makeshift New Zealand side overcame ill-discipline and a depleted Stormers squad to claim victory in Cape Town, though the scoreline was considered flattering for their performance.
New Zealand’s All Blacks have begun their first full-scale tour of South Africa in 30 years with a 38-21 victory over the Stormers in Cape Town on Friday. The result, while securing the win, was widely regarded as flattering for a New Zealand side that entered the match as heavy favourites by at least 30 points. The scoreline obscured a performance characterised by a makeshift lineup, significant ill-discipline, and struggles in the set-piece.
The match was tightly contested for the majority of the duration, with the score tied at 14-14 with 13 minutes remaining. The Stormers, operating in preseason mode with a depleted squad, rallied twice to level the contest. However, the home side’s fortunes deteriorated when they lost their second scrumhalf and exhausted their reserve backs, forcing them to play with a patched-up backline. New Zealand capitalised on these structural weaknesses, scoring three tries in the final eight minutes to secure the margin.
Despite the victory, the All Blacks’ display was blighted by three yellow cards and a struggling set-piece. They managed to overcome these disciplinary and technical issues to outscore the Stormers six tries to three. The match attracted a crowd of 47,130 spectators, though reports noted it was not a sell-out event. The outcome papered over the underlying performance issues, leaving the coaching staff with a result that may not fully reflect the team’s readiness for the tour ahead.
From a personnel perspective, the match provided significant opportunities for emerging talent. Seven players made their first appearance in the black jersey this year, including two who debuted off the bench: prop Siale Lauaki and inside back Josh Jacomb. The team also appeared to conclude the fixture without sustaining any major injuries, a positive development for the upcoming schedule.
Conversely, the Stormers’ performance highlighted the resilience of their remaining core. Twenty-year-old flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed made his first-class debut and was noted as one of the most impressive players in the stadium, displaying composure beyond his years. Additionally, flanker Deon Fourie, who will turn 40 next month, was highlighted as a standout performer for the home side, providing a dynamic presence despite the team’s overall depletion.
