Stormers edge determined Jaguares
Despite being reduced to just 13 men – as their poor discipline continue to hamper them – the South Americans twice fought their way back into the game.
And right up to the final whistle they still had a chance of salvaging a draw.
Outstanding loose forward Pablo Matera and Matias Moroni were yellow carded within a minute just past the hour mark.
The Stormers were awarded a penalty try soon after for a nine-point lead and the expectations were that the floodgates would open.
But the Buenos Aires-based side responded with a brilliant try by Santiago Cordero which replacement Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias converted.
Seconds before the two sin-binned Argentines returned, SP Marais scored a try for the Cape Town outfit to complete the scoring.
"The Jaguares shocked us with their physicality," admitted Stormers try scorer EW Viljoen.
"We were very happy to hear the final whistle sound. It was a really tough match for us."
After a poor debut season, the Jaguares are looking more polished this year despite lacking injured stars Martin Landajo and Juan Martin Hernández.
Star Nicolas Sanchez returned to flyhalf and contributed eight points after missing the opening-round win over the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth last weekend.
After receiving rave reviews for their South African derby win over the Bulls last weekend, the Stormers looked much less impressive.
Viljoen, Jano Vermaak and Marais scored tries for the Stormers, who were also awarded a seven-point penalty try.
Jean-Luc du Plessis, a son of former Springbok star Carel, kicked two conversions and two penalties.
Santiago Cordero scored two tries and skipper Agustin Creevy one for the Jaguares while Sanchez kicked a conversion and two penalties and Iglesias a conversion.
Man of the match: In a team full of internationals, Joaquín Tuculet, Santiago Cordero, Nicolás Sánchez, Leonardo Senatore, Pablo Matera, Guido Petti and Agustín Creevy did the hard yards. Cheslin Kolbe stepped, EW Viljoen ran hard, Dan Kriel had his moments, Jean-Luc du Plessis showed maturity, despite some errors, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Eben Etzebeth were physical and at times brutal. However, our award goes to Stormers scrumhalf Jano Vermaak for an accomplished performance that assured the Stormers maintained momentum for long periods.
The scorers:
For the Stormers:
Tries: Leyds, Vermaak, Penalty TRY, Marais
Cons: Du Plessis 2, Penalty try counts seven points and does not require a conversion
Pens: Du Plessis 2
For the Jaguares:
Tries: Creevy, Cordero 2
Cons: Sanchez 2
Pens: Sanchez 2
Yellow cards: Pablo Matera (Jaguares, 61 – repeated infringements, collapsing the maul illegally), Matias Moroni (Jaguares, 63 – cynical foul, slapping the ball down)
Teams:
Stormers: 15 Sarel Marais, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 EW Viljoen, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Siya Kolisi (captain), 6 Rynhardt Elstadt, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Ramone Samuels, 17 Oliver Kebble, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Chris van Zyl, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Dewaldt Duvenage, 22 Robert du Preez, 23 Seabelo Senatla.
Jaguares: 15 Joaquín Tuculet, 14 Ramiro Moyano, 13 Matías Orlando, 12 Jerónimo de la Fuente, 11 Santiago Cordero, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Leonardo Senatore, 7 Tomás Lezana, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Matías Alemanno, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Felipe Arregui, 2 Agustín Creevy (captain), 1 Santiago García Botta.
Replacements: 16 Julián Montoya, 17 Lucas Noguera Paz, 18 Cristian Bartoloni, 19 Marcos Kremer, 20 Benjamín Macome, 21 Felipe Ezcurra, 22 Santiago González Iglesias, 23 Matías Moroni.
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Rasta Rasivhenge (South Africa), Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
