Match Report: Clermont recover to beat debutants DHL Stormers

Alex Newsome and Alivereti Raka both crossed for second-half tries for Clermont, with 14 points from the boot of Jules Plisson helping the TOP 14 side’s cause.

Stormers enjoyed a strong start and crossed through Dean Fourie but were ultimately overpowered after the break.

It was a ferociously competitive and physical contest from the off, with Stormers fly-half Manie Libbok exchanging early penalties with Clermont counterpart Plisson.

A second three-pointer from Libbok put DHL Stormers ahead on 21 minutes, and flanker Fourie then bundled over for the South African side’s first ever Heineken Champions Cup try as Clermont were unable to repel a rolling maul.

🌩 @THESTORMERS have their first #HeinekenChampionsCup try 🌩

The lineout move works to perfection and @Deonf crosses over to make history 💪 pic.twitter.com/LLYIyBtZQZ

— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) December 10, 2022

Libbok was off target with the conversion but Clayton Blommetjies slotted a third penalty before the break to see DHL Stormers take an 11-point lead into the second half.

However, Clermont were a different side following the restart, shifting the ball around with confidence and crossing for their first try of the game on 49 minutes as full-back Newsome finished excellently in the corner.

Plisson converted and then added penalty to move the hosts to within one point, and the TOP 14 side would then take the lead on 63 minutes as wing Raka, a constant threat in the second half, was picked out in space on the left and made no mistake in crashing over the whitewash.

Plisson had the presence of mind to slot a drop-goal and extend Clermont’s lead to seven points on 70 minutes, and his third penalty of the game shortly after wrapped up their win and denied DHL Stormers a losing bonus point.

DHL Stormers welcome London Irish to Cape Town in Round 2 in a week’s time, with Clermont away at Leicester Tigers, also on Saturday.