Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu admits discipline cost Stormers again in loss to Sharks

The Stormers had put themselves in a strong position, leading at half-time and extending their advantage early in the second half, but failed to maintain control as penalties and errors allowed the Sharks back into the contest and ultimately to complete a rare season double.

"The lack of discipline cost us," Feinberg-Mngomezulu said. "When we played our game, we were on top of them. In the second half, we were up 24-14 and we just let it slip.

"Within 10 minutes we went from an upbeat team scoring tries. We were being reckless, careless and irresponsible. Our discipline is costing us."

The captain pointed to a breakdown in composure after the Stormers had seized momentum, with repeated infringements halting their rhythm and inviting pressure from the Sharks, who capitalised through a strong aerial game and dominance at the set piece.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu said the frustration was heightened by the fact that the same problems had undermined the Stormers just a week earlier.

"We put ourselves in good positions, but we didn't manage the game well enough," he said. "That's on us as players to fix."

Director of rugby John Dobson echoed his captain's assessment, conceding that poor discipline and set-piece failures again proved costly.

"The most frustrating thing about tonight (Saturday) is that everything that went wrong last week went wrong this week," he said.

"There has to be a behaviour change; it is really poor from us and bad for our supporters.

"Five-metre lineouts not converted, giving penalties away at mauls, which led to some of the discipline stuff. So, to fix the stuff, there needs to be a behaviour change. It was really poor from us, and I feel bad for our supporters."