The Jaguares beat the Stormers 25-14 in Buenos Aires on Saturday to complete a clean sweep of South African sides in Argentina. JON CARDINELLI reports.
Coach Mario Ledesma’s side has made Super Rugby history. The result marks the Jaguares’ first win over the Stormers, as well as their fourth consecutive win over South African opposition in Argentina this season.
What’s more, the Jaguares have narrowed the gap between themselves and the South African conference leaders. Following the Lions’ loss in Durban and the Jaguares’ triumph in Buenos Aires, the Argentinian side is only three log points behind.
The Jaguares dominated the Stormers during the early stages of the contest. The hosts raced to a 15-0 lead, and would have enjoyed a greater advantage if not for two missed goal attempts by Nicolás Sánchez.
The Stormers hit back in the 25th minute through No 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe. Flyhalf Jean-Luc du Plessis added the extras to leave the visitors trailing by eight points at half-time.
The Jaguares reasserted their dominance right after the break. Centre Matias Orlando crossed the tryline in the 42nd minute, and this time Sánchez made no mistake with his conversion attempt.
Dillyn Leyds scored in the 60th minute to give the visitors some hope. The Stormers battled to control territory thereafter, though, and the Jaguares were happy to run down the stadium clock.
Sánchez slotted a penalty in the 73rd minute to extend the hosts’ lead to 11 points. The Stormers failed to add to their tally, and ultimately finished with yet another loss away from home.
Jaguares – Tries: Bautista Delguy, Guido Petti, Matias Orlando. Conversions: Nicolás Sánchez (2). Penalty: Sánchez (2).
Stormers – Tries: Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Dillyn Leyds. Conversions: Jean-Luc du Plessis (2).
Jaguares – 15 Emiliano Boffelli, 14 Bautista Delguy, 13 Matias Orlando, 12 Jeronimo de la Fuente, 11 Ramiro Moyano, 10 Nicolas Sanchez, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Javier Ortega Desio, 7 Tomas Lezana, 6 Pablo Matera (c), 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2 Agustin Creevy, 1 Santiago Garcia Botta.
Subs: 16 Diego Fortuny, 17 Javier Diaz, 18 Santiago Medrano, 19 Matias Alemanno, 20 Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 21 Martin Landajo, 22 Joaquin Diaz Bonila, 23 Matias Moroni.
Stormers – 15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Craig Barry, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Jan de Klerk, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Subs: 16 Ramone Samuels, 17 JC Janse van Rensberg, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Salmaan Moerat, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Kobus van Dyk, 22 Justin Phillips, 23 EW Viljoen.
Photo: Daniel Jayo/Getty Images
