CAPE TOWN — The Stormers defeated Cardiff 44-21 in a United Rugby Championship play-off quarter-final in Cape Town. The South African side scored six tries to advance to the semi-finals, where they will face Leinster after Leinster defeated the Lions 59-10 in Dublin.

The Stormers’ tries came from Andre-Hugo Venter, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Leolin Zas, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Paul de Villiers, and JJ Kotze. Feinberg-Mngomezulu also contributed 11 points in total, adding three conversions to his try, though he injured his ankle while scoring after a tackle by Ioan Lloyd. A try by Seabelo Senatla was disallowed due to a knock-on.

Cardiff responded with three tries of their own, scored by Cameron Winnett, Taine Basham, and James Botham. Winnett’s try came after he intercepted a loose pass from Stormers scrum-half Imad Khan. Ioan Lloyd converted all three of Cardiff’s tries.

Cardiff’s discipline issues hampered their performance, as they conceded 10 penalties in the first 40 minutes. Prop Keiron Assiratti received a yellow card in the first half after giving away four scrum penalties. In the second half, prop Javan Sebastian was sin-binned for conceding further penalties.

Stormers hooker Andre-Hugo Venter’s try was awarded by referee Eoghan Cross of Ireland after the TMO did not overrule the on-field decision. The Stormers’ victory avenged a 22-16 loss to Cardiff in the final round of the league matches.

Cardiff head coach Corniel van Zyl said, "We don't see this as the end and we are looking forward. It will take a massive effort and I know people will be writing us off, but we will have a good crack at it and see what happens." Wales wing Josh Adams, who returned from injury for the match along with lock Josh McNally, said, "We haven't just crept into these play-offs, let's be straight. We finished sixth and didn't drop out of the top eight all season."

Stormers head coach John Dobson said Cardiff were the "easiest" of the possible quarter-final opponents, later clarifying he meant they were the most recent opposition. Cardiff’s loss marked the end of the season for all Welsh professional sides in the United Rugby Championship.