Stormers fight back to beat Munster and maintain perfect URC record

The Cape Town side overturned a 21-6 half-time deficit to remain the only unbeaten side in the competition.

The visitors endured a chaotic opening 40 minutes, spending 20 of them with 14 men. Connor Evans was sent to the sin bin as early as the third minute, followed later by Marcel Theunissen.

Despite their ill-discipline, they stayed in touch thanks to a long-range penalty from Jurie Matthee, who added a second shortly after Tadhg Beirne had opened Munster's account in the eighth minute, converted by Jack Crowley.

Munster capitalised on Theunissen's yellow card, with John Hodnett crossing and Crowley converting before the fly-half produced a coast-to-coast try of his own to extend the lead.

Munster began the second half in control, but Stormers coach John Dobson responded by overhauling his pack. A fresh front row, new locks, and an additional loose forward brought a surge of power reminiscent of the Springboks' famed "Nuke Squad".

Replacement lock Adre Smith first had a try disallowed by the TMO after a referral from referee Andrea Piardi, but he soon stormed over again, with Matthee converting.

The comeback gathered momentum when debutant Dylan Maart finished superbly with 12 minutes remaining, before Ruhan Nel intercepted a pass three minutes later to score beneath the crossbar. The Stormers absorbed late pressure to close out a remarkable turnaround.

With their unbeaten record intact, the Cape side now shift their attention to European duties as they prepare for consecutive Investec Champions Cup clashes against Bayonne and La Rochelle.