THE Stormers preserved their unbeaten record through seven rounds of Super Rugby yesterday, beating the Highlanders 21-6 in a clash of the competition's top two teams.
Winger Gio Aplon and fullback Joe Pietersen scored first-half tries as the Stormers extended their winning streak to retain their place on top of the table.
The match fell short of expectations, though the Stormers impressed again with their defensive intensity.
The Stormers are at the start of a season-defining tour in which they play the second-placed Highlanders, the Crusaders, the Reds and the improving Force.
They made their first stop a winning one yesterday, seizing control of the match as they worked hard to attain field position in the first half, then holding out the Highlanders' increasingly desperate attacks.
The Stormers regained the best defensive record in the tournament as they kept their goal line intact throughout the match. Their giant pack gave the Highlanders little leeway around set pieces or in the loose and their backline defence was carefully organised.
Pietersen began and finished the try of the match in the first half, posed a continuous attacking threat and helped negate the Highlanders' attempts to control the match with their kicking game.
"We're pleased with the win. It definitely wasn't easy," Stormers captain Jean de Villiers said. "It was against a quality side. We were probably a bit lucky with some tries in the first half, but we'll definitely take the win."
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