Super Rugby: Stormers stun Western Force to win 24-8 in Cape Town

Centre Juan de Jongh and lock Ruan Botha both touched down and referee Chris Pollock also awarded a penalty try in favour of the hosts as they claimed only their fourth win of the season.

It represents a disappointing result for Michael Foley's side, who could have moved as high as second having won seven of their previous eight matches before taking on the bottom side.

The Stormers took an early lead on home soil as fly-half Peter Grant, making his 100th appearance for the franchise, slotted home his first penalty attempt.

Having enjoyed 94 percent of possession during the opening quarter of the match, the hosts eventually touched down the first score as De Jongh raced over in the corner.

Grant duly added the extras before his opposite number Sias Ebersohn Western Force on the board with a three-pointer.

Force enjoyed a rare foray into Stormers territory before the hosts reasserted the pressure on their defensive ranks.

The visitors struggled to control their discipline throughout the opening period and it proved to be costly as lock Adam Coleman was sent to the sin bin for dragging down a maul and Stormers made their personnel advantage count.

Fracas

Winger Cheslin Kolbe came close to dotting down but when he was prevented from crossing, Stormers were awarded a scrum which ended in a brief fracas before Pollock awarded the penalty try in favour of the home side.

Grant slotted the conversion to give Allister Coeztee's side a 19-3 lead at the interval.

Stormers thought they had a third try when Dean Fourie crashed over the line, only for TMO replays to prove he was held up, but their pressing start to the second period did not go to waste.

From a scrum the hosts spun the ball out wide and Botha was on hand to crash over the whitewash and Grant managed to sneak the conversion home.

With 10 minutes left to play, Force attempted to wrestle their way back into contention and the Stormers subsequently picked up two yellow cards as they tried to defend their line.

Kolbe was the first to be sent to the sin bin for slowing play down, before Jaco Taute joined him the next minute, leaving the Stormers with only 13 men in play.

Force used their numerical advantage well as Matt Hodgson forced his way over the line, but Ebersohn was unable to add the extras.

Nick Cummins came close to adding another score for the Force, but the depleted Stormers held out to claim victory and move up to 12th in the Super Rugby table.