Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu scored a hat-trick in a 24-point haul as the Stormers edged Connacht in a see-saw Vodacom URC battle at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s three tries and three conversions steered the Stormers into a 26-24 half-time lead, before the Springbok flyhalf’s penalty eight minutes from the final hooter sealed a thrilling 34-29 bonus-point win for the Cape hosts.

Victory also powered the Stormers from 10th to seventh on the standings before the close of round 15 in the competition.

The Stormers and Connacht delivered a breathtaking display of attacking rugby in the shadow of Table Mountain, with eight tries shared in the opening 40 minutes.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu showcased his full repertoire, including a perfectly executed chip-and-chase for his third try of the match, while No 8 Evan Roos added to the home side’s tally with a powerful surge from the base of the scrum. 

Pure cinema from Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu 🍿@Vodacom #URC | #RaceToTheEight | #STOvCON pic.twitter.com/syB3jgHK5F

— vodacomrugby (@VodacomRugga) April 19, 2025

Connacht responded through left winger Shane Jennings’ double and further tries from flanker Conor Oliver and hooker Dylan Tierney-Martin to keep the contest delicately poised, and the Irish visitors could’ve led at the interval had Jack Carty converted two strikes on goal.

An audacious Feinberg-Mngomezulu pass put speedster Suleiman Hartzenberg over in the right corner soon after the break, before Connacht were reduced to 14 men after centre Cathal Forde saw yellow for repeated team infringements.

However, Stormers fullback Warrick Gelant joined Forde in the sin bin for 10 minutes for a deliberate knock-on, as the match entered the final quarter. Connacht then capitalised through substitute Josh Murphy’s touchdown following a sustained period of pressure.

And that’s a hat-trick for Sacha! 🤯@Vodacom #URC | #RaceToTheEight | #STOvCON pic.twitter.com/XtLuCP59D0

— vodacomrugby (@VodacomRugga) April 19, 2025

But, Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s late strike from the kicking tee was enough to get the Stormers over the finish line, although Connacht were dealt a cruel blow at the death when Santiago Cordero’s try was ruled out for obstruction in the buildup.

Next up, the Stormers host Benetton, who beat the Lions in a nine-try thriller at Ellis Park on Saturday, in seven days’ time before ending their league campaign with visits from Dragons (10 May) and Cardiff (16 May).

However, Stormers boss John Dobson will be sweating over the fitness of veteran flanker Deon Fourie, who limped off barely two minutes after taking the field in the second half.

Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images