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Referee Andrea Piardi speaks with DHL Stormers captain Salmaan Moerat, left, and Munster captain Tadhg Beirne during the United Rugby Championship match between Munster and DHL Stormers at Thomond Park in Limerick. (Photo By Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile via Getty Images) https://www.rugbypass.com/news/the-pre-game-quote-that-fired-stormers-to-win-over-munster/
There is now just one unbeaten team left in the BKT URC with the DHL Stormers having taken the spoils in an epic top-of-the-table clash with Munster Rugby.
Both teams had won their opening five league matches, so something had to give at Limerick’s Thomond Park.
It looked as though Munster were going to capitalise on home advantage when they led 21-6 at half-time after running in three tries.
But the Stormers racked up 21 unanswered points after the break to win 21-27.
The game finished three tries apiece, but it was the goal-kicking of the league’s top points scorer Jurie Matthee that ultimately proved the difference.
The Player of the Match award went to the visitors’ flanker Paul de Villiers who said: “We knew we were going to be tested. Playing Munster in Limerick is a massive challenge.
“Being behind, we had to really dig deep and fight back. There were a few things that hadn’t gone our way, but the way we reacted to it and responded in that second half, hats off to the team.
“I read a quote before the game of someone saying ‘I believe in belief’ and I think that’s what we had and showed. Even though it was tough at times, that belief really came through. It was surely a team effort.
“It’s good for us building and for the rest of the season.”
It’s a win that puts John Dobson’s Stormers two points clear at the top of the table a third of the way through the regular season.