The Stormers' 44-21 win was built almost entirely on set-piece dominance — Mchunu's scrummaging was relentless, forcing two yellow cards and a stream of penalties that kept Cardiff pinned in their own half for long stretches. The lineout was equally potent, directly producing three tries. The concern is that once inside Cardiff's 22, the Stormers were wasteful — two held-up tries, poor passing decisions, and a conversion rate of just 2.58 points per 22 entry meant a contest that should have been a blowout stayed competitive longer than it should have. That finishing profligacy is a persistent pattern Dobson has flagged all season and remains unresolved heading into the semis. The bigger worry may be Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who scored a well-taken try midway through the second half but hobbled off immediately after with what looked like an ankle issue. The piece leans toward it being precautionary, but given SFM's quality when firing, his availability for the semi-final is now a live question. The Stormers await the Lions-Leinster winner — and Cape Town is very clearly hoping van Rooyen's side pull off the upset in Dublin.
Stormers grind Cardiff out but SFM injury clouds semi-final outlook
The Stormers' set-piece machine dismantled Cardiff's dark-horse run, but wasteful finishing and a Feinberg-Mngomezulu ankle scare are the notes that linger heading into the last four.
Stormers count injury cost after Cardiff win: Feinberg-Mngomezulu ankle blow threatens semi-final place
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu faces a serious ankle injury that is likely to rule him out of the Stormers' URC semi-final against Leinster in Dublin, with Ruben van Heerden, Seabelo Senatla and Dan du Plessis also among the injury concerns after Saturday's 44-21 quarter-final win over Cardiff.
Stormers face semi-final injury crisis as Feinberg-Mngomezulu ankle blow leads four casualties
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu faces a serious ankle injury that is expected to rule him out of the Stormers' URC semi-final, with Ruben van Heerden, Seabelo Senatla and Dan du Plessis also joining the casualty list after the 44-21 win over Cardiff.
Dobson: Kolbe returning to win trophies, not to wind down
John Dobson says Cheslin Kolbe has made a major financial sacrifice to return to the Stormers, motivated by winning trophies rather than winding down his career, while warning the franchise is close to its limit on high-profile signings.
Fourie captains Stormers in Belfast as Willemse moves to 12
Deon Fourie captains the Stormers for his 140th cap against Ulster in Belfast on Friday, with Willemse shifting to inside centre and Gelant returning at fullback to cover for the injured Ruhan Nel.
Dobson backs Mchunu to force his way into Bok reckoning
Mchunu has been the Stormers' form loosehead this URC season, and Dobson is openly predicting a Springbok future for him — while acknowledging overseas interest that could complicate things.