Super 14

The Brumbies continued their amazing run against the Stormers, surviving a late rally to score a 19-17 Super 14 win that silenced the Newlands faithful on Friday.

In a game dominated by poor kicking, sloppy handling and produced just one try from each team, it was a missed conversion that turned out to be the difference between the two sides in the end.

The Stormers, decidedly lethargic, stayed in control on the scoreboard for the first hour - as Joe Pietersen and Matt Giteau traded penalties.

In fact the Brumbies took the lead for the first time in the 64th minute - when Giteau made it 12-9 in a game of few highlights.

However, the Stormers were back on level terms just two minutes later.

But the match was turned on its head when the Brumbies' Wallaby flank George Smith intercepted a wayward pass from prop Stormers Brok Harris in the 77th minute. Giteau's conversion left the Stormers needing a converted try just to draw the game.

And the men from Cape Town did manage a late rally.

Pieter Louw, after having an earlier try not being awarded from a driving maul, again managed to get over the line from a similar maul - this time getting the nod from the TMO.

However, Pietersen missed the conversion that would have tied the scores and the Brumbies could celebrate their 10th Super Rugby win over the Stormers in 13 years.

The Stormers were left to ponder the 'what ifs' and a solitary bonus point, as the visitors took home four valuable points - which they will cherish after last week's 50-point hammering at the hands of the Bulls.

The scorers:

For the Stormers:
Try: P Louw
Pens: Pietersen 4

For the Brumbies:
Try: Smith
Con: Giteau
Pens: Giteau 4

Teams:

Stormers: 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Juan de Jongh, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Ricky Januarie, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Pieter Louw, 5 Andries Bekker (captain), 4 De Kock Steenkamp, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 JC Kritzinger.
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Eusebio Guinazu, 18 Anton van Zyl, 19 Pieter Myburgh, 20 Dewaldt Duvenage, 21 Lionel Cronjé, 22 Sireli Naqelevuki.

Brumbies: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Pat McCabe, 13 Stirling Mortlock, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 Francis Fainifo, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Josh Valentine, 8 Stephen Hoiles (captain), 7 George Smith, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 Ben Hand, 3 Salesi Ma'afu, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Ben Alexander.
Replacements: 16 Huia Edmonds, 17 Guy Shepherdson, 18 Justin Harrison, 19 Mitchell Chapman, 20 Patrick Phibbs, 21 Matt Toomua, 22 Tyrone Smith.

Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Pro Legoete (South Africa), Cobus Wessels (South Africa)
TMO: Johann Meuwesen (South Africa)