Sharks rally in George to defeat Stormers
The Sharks overturned a 12-point deficit to beat the Stormers in a pre-season match at Outeniqua Park on Friday.
The Stormers led 17-5 after 28 minutes thanks to two tries from winger Seabelo Senatla and one from flanker Ben-Jason Dixon, while fullback Yaw Penxe crossed for the Sharks.
But the Durbanites narrowed the gap just before half time through centre Francois Venter, and went on to score two unanswered second-half tries through lock Jason Jenkins and wing Christie Grobbelaar to win 26-17.
The Stormers kick off their 2025-26 Vodacom URC campaign against Leinster in Cape Town on 26 September, while the Sharks travel to Glasgow.
A great pre-season work-out in George, with the Hollywoodbets Sharks coming from behind to take a 26-17 win. Thanks to all our fans who came out to support us. #STOvSHA #inittogether pic.twitter.com/hhPdecwolR
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) September 12, 2025
STORMERS – 15 Luke Burger, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Ruhan Nel (c), 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Marcel Theunissen, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Vernon Matongo.
Bench: 16 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 17 Oliver Reid, 18 Cabous Eloff, 19 JJ Kotze, 20 Alex Groves, 21 Connor Evans, 22 Louw Nel, 23 Stefan Ungerer, 24 Clinton Swart, 25 Damian Markus, 26 Jared Africa, 27 Justin Geduld, 28 Sako Makata.
SHARKS – 15 Yaw Penxe, 14 Phikolomzi “PK” Sobahle, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Christie Grobbelaar, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Vincent Tshituka (c), 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Bathobele Hlekani, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Phatu Ganyane.
Bench: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19 Deon Slabbert, 20 Tino Mavesere, 21 Nick Hatton, 22 Ross Braude, 23 Edwill van der Merwe, 24 Paschal Ekeji, 25 Jean Smith, 26 Hakeem Kunene, 27 Mawande Mdanda, 28 Willem van den Hever.
Photo: @THESTORMERS/X