The result will be disappointing for the Cape side who gave a very good performance to dominate possession and territory.

However, the visitors committed too many handling errors and as a result they were unable to put scoreboard pressure on the Kiwi side. The defeat means the DHL Stormers are winless midway through their four-week of New Zealand and Australia.
 
Siya Kolisi’s team surprised the Blues with their intention to keep the ball in hand for large parts of the first half during which time they turned down numerous opportunities to convert penalties into points. 

The DHL Stormers also elected to employ their main attacking weapon, their menacing driving maul, until well into the second half by which time the Blues have managed stretch their lead to a two-score advantage.
 
The Blues scored three converted tries and a penalty goal to the visitors’ three penalty goals for a very good win against a determined DHL Stormers side.
 
Blues right wing Tanielu Tele'a crossed the whitewash in the 30th minute to dot down for their first try, and a successful penalty goal by flyhalf Otere Black saw them returning to the change room with a 10-6 halftime advantage. DHL Stormers flyhalf Jean-Luc du Plessis slotted the first two of his three penalty goals before halftime. 
 
Black also scored a try under the posts for the hosts from a signature Sonny Bill Williams offload, while Rieko Ioane secured the bonus-point with his converted try towards the end.
 
Robbie Fleck’s side plugged away admirably in the second stanza and they continued to create plenty of scoring opportunities as a result of a good effort by the forwards, spearheaded by Eben Etzebeth and Bongi Mbonambi, and some inventive running from the back by the likes of fullback Damian Willemse and left wing Dillyn Leyds. 

The men from the Cape suffered an early injury setback when centre Dan du Plessis was forced off with a knee injury and replaced by Josh Stander.
 
The Blues were reduced to 14-men for the final 10 minutes of the encounter after Tele'a was red-carded for challenging Leyds in the air. But they maintained their composure to close out an enthralling match. 
 
Scorers:
 
Blues 24 (10) – Tries: Tanielu Tele’a, Otere Black, Rieko Ioane. Conversions: Black (3). Penalty: Black.
DHL Stormers 9 (6) – Penalties: Jean-Luc du Plessis (3).