Stormers slay Dragons to climb to fifth in United Rugby Championship standings

The win marked their third consecutive URC triumph and lifted them to fifth place ahead of the conclusion of the penultimate round.

The Stormers led 14-0 at the break, with Wandisile Simelane igniting the contest with a sensational solo try in just the second minute. The Dragons had no reply to the home side's physicality and flair throughout a one-sided first half.

Damian Willemse, celebrating his 100th Stormers appearance, capped a memorable night by scoring a try in the 56th minute and slotting two conversions in the second half.

Stefan Ungerer also dotted down after a powerful lineout turnover and break created by Marcel Theunissen, who was a standout in the loose.

Seabelo Senatla added a try in the corner following a sharp lineout move, while the Stormers ran riot in the final ten minutes, crossing the whitewash three more times through Simelane's second, Suleiman Hartzenberg, and Paul de Wet.

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu missed an early long-range penalty but later contributed with solid kicking from hand and tee.

The only blemish for the hosts came when Salmaan Moerat was shown a yellow card for a dangerous croc roll on Shane Lewis-Hughes.

The Dragons managed two consolation tries in the second half - Aaron Wainwright struck early after the restart, and Dane Blacker added another late on - but the result was never in doubt.