Stormers clinch thrilling draw with Koch's last-minute try

Sunwolves 17-17 Stormers, Singapore National Stadium
Scorecard

Replacement Vincent Koch scored a try in the 79th minute and Brandon Thomson held his nerve to secure a conversion as Stormers managed to draw the encounter against Sunwolves 17-17 at the Singapore National Stadium.

Sunwolves, who had just one win from nine games previously were in control for the most part of the game and had almost created an upset toppling the top placed Stormers in the Africa 1 group.

A try from winger Akihito Yamada three penalties from fly-half Tusi Pisi had the Sunwolves dominating the first-half 14-3.Things got just better for the team from Tokyo as Pisi went on to score his fourth penalty kick in the 49th minute. However, Sunwolves were denied a try by millimeters, which could have taken them to 22-3.

After leading the game 17-3 in the first 58 minutes, it looked like Sunwolves would hand the Stormers an embarrassing defeat. However, Pisi, who had a greatgame until then missed a penalty which could have won the game for the Sunwolves despite their two converted tries later in the game.

Lock Pieter-Steph du Toit scored the first try for the Stormers in the 59th minute with fly-half Jean-Luc du Plessis landing the conversion to reduce the gap to seven points.

As the time was running out, the replacements Koch and Thomson, who came in the final quarter of the game made a significant impact on the game.

Koch weaved his magic and his touchdown in the 79th minute put Stormers only two points behind Sunwolves while Thompson's conversion in the final minute ensured the game ended in a 17-17 draw.