The Stormers' 42-21 victory over La Rochelle in the Investec Champions Cup 2026/27 wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. But here’s where it gets controversial: was this a fair fight, or did the Stormers simply capitalize on a severely weakened opponent? Let’s dive into the details and let you decide.
The Stormers, fielding a near full-strength squad, faced a La Rochelle side that was anything but. With four teenagers in the starting XV—flanker Kirill Fraindt, scrum-half Nolhann Couillaud, fly-half Diego Jurd, and captain Lucas Andjisseramatchi—the French team was barely recognizable. Add to that only two players over 21 in the backline, one of whom, Suliasi Vunivalu, was making his debut, and you have a recipe for a mismatch. And this is the part most people miss: La Rochelle’s bench included three props, further highlighting their lack of depth.
From the outset, the Stormers were expected to dominate. The question wasn’t whether they’d win, but by how much—and how convincingly. The match began with a bang, as full-back Warrick Gelant (8/10) sliced through La Rochelle’s defense in the opening seconds, setting the tone for what seemed like a one-sided affair. Yet, La Rochelle showed glimpses of resilience, particularly after a shaky first quarter, proving they weren’t going down without a fight.
Here’s the breakdown of the Stormers’ performance:
Match Summary
- Penalty Goals: 2
- Tries: 6
- Conversions: 3
- Drop Goals: 0
- Carries: 99
- Line Breaks: 9
- Turnovers Lost: 13
- Turnovers Won: 7
Player Ratings:
15. Warrick Gelant (8/10): Gelant’s early line break was a highlight, but his loose offload nearly gifted La Rochelle a chance. His breakdown steal, however, was flanker-worthy and led directly to a try. A mixed bag, but undeniably impactful.
14. Dylan Maart (8/10): Maart opened the scoring with a chase that typified his relentless energy. His second try showcased his chemistry with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. However, a fumble and passive tackle led to a La Rochelle try—a moment he’d rather forget.
13. Ruhan Nel (6/10): Nel had a quiet game, with a lucky escape in the first half when his ‘intercept’ was ruled a knock-on. Defensively, he looked slightly off, and he rarely featured in attack.
12. Jonathan Roche (6.5/10): Roche was solid and faultless in midfield, but his performance lacked standout moments.
11. Leolin Zas (7.5/10): Zas’s first try was a display of sheer power, brushing off Simeli Daunivucu with ease. While he didn’t see the ball often, he looked dangerous whenever he did.
10. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (8.5/10): Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s pinpoint kick for Maart’s try set the tone for his performance. His one-handed offload for Gelant’s try was pure class, though his kicking from the tee left room for improvement.
9. Cobus Reinach (8.5/10): Reinach’s hit on Hoani Bosmorin was a game-changer, halting La Rochelle’s momentum. His quick tap for Maart’s second try showcased his ability to inject pace at crucial moments.
1. Ntuthuko Mchunu (6/10): Mchunu struggled to dominate Karl Sorin in the scrum but made up for it with double-digit tackles in just 53 minutes.
2. André-Hugo Venter (7.5/10): Venter’s lineout wasn’t perfect, but his pinpoint throw allowed him to score the first try of the second half.
3. Neethling Fouché (7.5/10): Fouché dominated the scrum, even against established international Reda Wardi. A yellow card for a high tackle marred an otherwise strong performance.
4. Salmaan Moerat (7/10): Moerat’s lineout steal early in the match snuffed out a rare La Rochelle opportunity. He continued to perform despite a thunderous hit from Kane Douglas.
5. JD Schickerling (7/10): Schickerling prevented a try with a crucial obstruction and troubled La Rochelle’s lineout throughout.
6. Paul de Villiers (8.5/10): De Villiers’ work at the breakdown was exceptional, winning a critical penalty late in the first half. His match-leading 16 tackles capped a stellar performance.
7. Ben-Jason Dixon (7/10): Dixon’s defensive effort was strong, topping the tackle charts before leaving the field after 55 minutes. A disallowed try was the only blemish.
8. Evan Roos (6/10): Roos was quieter than expected, though he varied his attacking output. His hour on the field ended with a conceded penalty.
Replacements:
- JJ Kotzé (7/10)
- Oli Kebble (7.5/10)
- Sazi Sandi (7.5/10)
- Connor Evans (7/10)
- Ruan Ackermann (6.5/10)
- Marcel Theunissen (8/10)
- Imad Khan (7/10)
- Wandisile Simelane (7/10)
Controversial Question: Did the Stormers truly prove their dominance, or did La Rochelle’s inexperience skew the result? Share your thoughts in the comments—we want to hear from you!
