The first half was a low key affair and the DHL Stormers went into the break in the lead following two converted tries scored through Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi and Craig Barry (fullback), while Hayden Parker slotted a pair of penalty goals for the Japanese outfit.

DHL Stormers No 8 Jaco Coetzee was in impressive form and had a hand in most of the home team’s forward assaults. He also helped himself to two tries in the second half, which allowed his team to build up a well-deserved and comfortable advantage on the scoreboard.

The Sunwolves tried hard and their forward were busy throughout, but they were no match for the greater physicality of the home pack, who laid the foundation for a good win which kept alive their slim hopes of qualifying for the play-offs.

South African-born player Gerhard van den Heever and his wing partner, Semisi Masirewa, were constant threats on the attack for the visitors. Masirewa kept the home defence busy with his probing runs and he scored two tries - the last one late in the match denying the DHL Stormers a vital try-scoring bonus point - to cap a good individual performance. 

Next weekend’s final regular round fixtures sees the DHL Stormers host the Cell Sharks in their local derby, while the Sunwolves travel to Argentina where they will play against current log leaders, the Jaguares.

Scores:

DHL Stormers 31 (14) – Tries: Bongi Mbonambi, Craig Barry, Jaco Coetzee (2). Conversions: Jean-Luc du Plessis (3), Josh Stander. Penalty goal: Stander.

Sunwolves 18 (6) – Tries: Semisi Masirewa (2). Conversion: Hayden Parker. Penalties: Parker (2).