Unbeaten Stormers take down brave Lions

The DHL Stormers ended 2025 with a 34-27 Vodacom United Rugby Championship win against the Lions at DHL Stadium on Saturday.

The South African derby win was the ninth consecutive victory this season and sees them end the year on top of the standings.

The visitors made a fast start as a dropped kick-off saw flank Ruan Venter score early.

They added a penalty before the Stormers got a try of their own, with wing Dylan Maart flying over following a well-weighted pass from Warrick Gelant.

A Jurie Matthee penalty saw the scores level but Venter would score again just before half-time to give the Lions a 17-10 advantage at the break.

The Stormers made a fast start to the second half, with former Lion Wandisile Simelane finishing a try before a mass replacement of forwards came on.

The results were immediate as a strong maul saw Paul de Villiers dot down to take the home team into the lead.

The teams exchanged penalties before the Stormers struck again, with Evan Roos forcing his way over for the bonus point try.

The Lions pulled one back through wing Kelly Mpeku which saw them take a bonus point for their efforts but the Stormers took a full house of five points.

Meanwhile, earlier on Saturday Springbok flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has signed a long-term contract extension that will keep him in Cape Town until at least July 2029, strengthening Stormers Rugby’s Project 2029 and securing one of the most exciting talents in world rugby.

Since making his Stormers debut at just 19 in a Vodacom United Rugby Championship quarter-final in 2022, Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s rise has been rapid and relentless. A player who can change a match in a moment, he has developed into one of the game’s most sought-after players - attracting significant interest from overseas clubs - but his decision is clear: Cape Town is home.

A product of the Stormers Rugby pathway, Feinberg-Mngomezulu was identified early as an exceptional talent and progressed through the system, going on to lead DHL Western Province U21 to a national title in 2023. His continued presence is a powerful statement of intent for a programme built around producing and keeping world-class talent in the Cape.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s impact has been felt at every level. After making his Springbok debut in 2024, he was nominated for World Rugby Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year, then went on to claim SA Rugby’s Young Player of the Year. In 2025, he was named South Africa’s Vodacom URC Player of the Season and recognised by his peers as MyPlayers’ 2025 Players’ Player of the Year.

An instinctive gamebreaker with a full skillset - running, passing, kicking and the composure to control moments - Feinberg-Mngomezulu is also known for his high standards, work ethic and drive to keep evolving.

Director of Rugby John Dobson said the extension is a defining moment for the long-term plan in the Cape.

“Sacha is a player teams around the world want - that’s the reality of modern rugby - and we’re incredibly proud that he’s chosen to commit his prime years to this jersey,” Dobson said.

“This is exactly what Project 2029 is about: identifying talent early, developing it properly and building a squad where our best players want to stay, lead and win together. Sacha’s journey through our system has been outstanding and he’s still only scratching the surface. Keeping him in Cape Town is massive for our supporters and for what we’re building.”

Feinberg-Mngomezulu said the decision was about belief in the team, the city and the vision.

“Cape Town is home. I grew up supporting this team and I know what it means to the people here,” he said.

“There's always noise and interest when things start going well but what we have here - the squad, the coaches, the connection with our fans - is special. The ambition is clear with Project 2029, and I want to be part of what we’re building and where we’re going. I’m excited for the future and hungry for what we can achieve together.”