Stormers flex title-winning depth

Writing for the Sunday Times, Mark Keohane reported that the Stormers demonstrated their squad depth during a 29-15 bonus-point victory over Connacht in Galway. The South African club secured the win despite missing several key Springbok players, including Damian Willemse, Cheslin Kolbe, Siya Kolisi, and Cobus Reinach. Two late tries after halftime sealed the double-digit margin for head coach John Dobson's side.

Individual standouts included former Junior Boks captain Riley Norton, who returned from a hamstring injury to log 20 carries and 14 tackles after shifting from lock to flank. Hooker André-Hugo Venter was named Man of the Match, leading the team with 16 tackles alongside an influential performance at the breakdown and in the set-piece.