Evan Roos delivered a trademark moment of explosive athleticism before injury curtailed his afternoon as the DHL Stormers ground out a 33-7 bonus-point win over Ulster at DHL Stadium on Saturday.
The number eight's spectacular 80-metre breakaway try seven minutes into the second half — described as the work of "a freak of an athlete" — proved the decisive score in a United Rugby Championship encounter that saw the hosts dominate territorially yet struggle with basic execution. Roos capitalised on an Ulster error to surge the length of the field, showcasing the pace and power that have made him a fixture in Springbok discussions. His afternoon ended six minutes later when he limped from the action, the nature and severity of the injury not disclosed.
The Stormers had made heavy weather of securing the bonus point despite territorial supremacy, with handling errors and slips on the stadium turf undermining promising attacks throughout the first hour. The breakthrough finally arrived with nine minutes remaining when 20-year-old flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed — selected into the Springbok touring squad earlier in the week — delivered a precise cross-kick on penalty advantage that veteran skipper Ruhan Nel gathered to score. Ahmed, who converted to make it 26-7, then added a close-range try of his own to cap a performance that included four conversions.
Set-piece dominance masks execution flaws
The Stormers scrum exerted relentless pressure from the opening whistle, with props Wilco Louw and Ntuthuko Mchunu leading a forward pack that turned the set-piece into what one observer termed "a Halloween nightmare" for the visitors. Second-rowers Adre Smith and JD Schickerling contributed both power and finesse, the latter rewarded with a first-half try set up by Mchunu's offload. Paul de Villiers added another score before the interval.
Yet the hosts' 33-7 margin flattered a performance littered with unforced errors, particularly in the opening half-hour when Ulster led through Dave McCann's try despite the Stormers creating numerous chances. The handling issues persisted even as the scoreboard tilted decisively in the home side's favour, raising questions about composure against weakened opposition.
International window looms
Roos's injury status will dominate attention as the Stormers enter the international break, with Ahmed and scrum-half Markus Muller both in line for potential Springbok debuts during the away leg of the Nations Championship. The franchise's ability to secure maximum points despite their sloppiness suggests depth, but the manner of victory — built on set-piece dominance rather than clinical execution — leaves room for improvement when the United Rugby Championship resumes.