Stormers kick-start Super Rugby 2018 season with 28-20 win over Jaguares

Stormers 28-20 Jaguares, DHL Newlands
Scorecard

Fly-half Damian Willemse kicked 13 points as Stormers kick-started their 2018 Super Rugby campaign with a 28-20 win over Jaguares at DHL Newlands on Saturday.

Nicolas Sanchez kick-started the proceedings for Jaguares with a fourth-minute penalty but Damian de Allende crossed over in the 18th minute with Willemse slotting a conversion to take the home side to a four-point lead.

Winger Emiliano Boffelli brought down the gap to one point with a 21st-minute penalty but Jaguares suffered a major setback when fullback Joaquin Tuculet was sin-binned.

Having the numerical advantage on their side, Willemse with his first penalty in the 27th minute increased Stormers' lead to four points which soon became nine points when Siya Kolisi touched down four minutes later.

The second half started intense with Raymond Rhule going past the line for the home side but his efforts were negated by a try from Emiliano Boffelli but Willemse's second penalty stretched Stormers lead to 12 points.

Just as they were coasting away, Stormers' momentum was dented a bit following Ramone Samuels' sin-bin in the 64th minute and to make things worse, Jaguares were awarded a penalty try that narrowed down the gap to five points.

However, Jaguares could not get the final push and instead Willemse kicked a last minute penalty to help Stormers complete an eight point victory.