The Stormers produced one of the finest performances in their history to hammer Leinster 35-0 in Cape Town, writes MARK KEOHANE.

Writing for the Sunday Times, Keohane says the opening-round win was more than just a statement; it was a night to be remembered in franchise folklore.

Munster were the last side to keep Leinster pointless back in 2007, but John Dobson’s men nearly doubled that scoreline with a five-try, 35-0 demolition.

And while Leinster were without their 12 British & Irish Lions tourists from July, they still named 13 internationals in their starting XV – a reminder that this was no experimental side.

“The Stormers had four Test players in their match-day squad and none of the four are currently in the national equation,” notes Keohane, underlining the scale of the hosts’ achievement.

Among the standout performances was winger Seabelo Senatla, named Man of the Match for his attacking menace, while 22-year-old prop Vernon Matongo delivered the most telling statement. Up against seasoned French tighthead Rabah Slimani – a 59-Test veteran with more than 400 professional matches behind him – Matongo held firm with the help of Brok Harris’ mentorship and the Stormers pack.

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The Stormers dominated the set piece, winning all eight scrums and 17 of 18 lineouts. They enjoyed 62% territory, kicked smartly for 824 metres, and retrieved possession from the air 11 times compared to Leinster’s three. The visitors’ famed defence crumbled, missing 25 tackles, and they never looked close to scoring.

There were reminders of the Stormers’ occasional over-exuberance early on, but the maturity of the final hour brought control and conviction.

“Friday night rugger is not for a city with the worst peak hour traffic in Africa,” Keohane quips of the sparse opening-night crowd, “but that was the only negative on a splendid spring night.”

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Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images