Newlands win was crucial for Waratahs

The Sydney-based team made a slow start to this year's competition, however, after their win in Cape Town, they find themselves just two points behind Australia Conference leaders, the Rebels, and level on points with the Brumbies.

"It is an excellent result for us," said Waratahs head coach Daryl Gibson after his team's victory over the Stormers.

"We knew we had to come here and win to give ourselves an opportunity in the Australian conference. With that win today we move in position where we are in contention now. 

"We had our struggles, we gone through that losing period and now we are coming out the other side

"I think we have really grown as a team over the last two weeks being on the road. Michael [Hooper] is leading the team very well and things are coming together for us – in this tournament you need momentum.

"We got two home games now against African opposition. I think the guys got real incentive now and motivation."

Waratahs captain Michael Hooper, who scored the crucial winning try in the 78th minute, said the team is more focussed now on what they need to do field.

"The guys have a real intent to want to do well," said Hooper.

"We weren't good at the start of our year. We knew what we could do by putting ourselves in good situations – it was about getting the little stuff right and that was not coming together for us.

"The focus was just to go back to our things – go back to our own backyard and sharpen those things up. Some guys have really stepped up in the past couple of weeks."

The Stormers had to play the final quarter of the match with just 14 men after wing Leolin Zas was red carded for playing Waratahs flyhalf Bernard Foley in the air. It ultimately put strain on the home side towards the end of the game with the visitors finding space in the Cape side's defence as the game drew to a close. 

"I think its borderline and probably correct technically, particularly given the Willie le Roux incident in the Highlanders v Sharks game," said Gibson of the incident which led to Zas' red card. 

"It is a difficult one, because contestable kicking is becoming more prevalent and common in our game and it is an area of our game which is becoming more contentious.

"The decision was made. I think the Stormers were very valiant and probably should have held on to win the game."

By Warren Fortune

@FortuneWarren 

@rugby365com