chilly and wet Glasgow Warriors were more comfortable on Scotstoun than the Stormers were, but their triumph in the quarterfinal of the United Rugby Championship was more a result of their fortitude in the face of a demanding physical test than the weather.
The Irish team upset Glasgow in the play-offs the previous season, so Franco Smith voiced his pride at the 27-10 victory that has won them a semi-final matchup against Munster in Limerick next Saturday and the opportunity for retribution. They have already outperformed last year, as that was in the final eight.
The match with the Stormers was closer than the final scoreline suggests and Glasgow had to show their mettle after two tries from the South African side in the space of five minutes in the second half. Tries from Sebastian Cancelliere, Henco Venter and Ross Thompson got the Warriors over the line and Smith was a satisfied man after the match.
“I’m thrilled that we’ve made it this far,” the coach remarked. “The lads followed the plan exactly. With the rainy conditions, we knew we couldn’t afford to turn the ball over too much.
We’re still in the running for the title. We followed the strategy and prepared properly throughout the week. The boys stepped up when we were playing against a highly rough opponent. That makes me proud.
Over the previous two years, we have developed this team’s character. I’ve never had any doubts about it. As teammates, we genuinely care about this club and each other. We put in a lot of effort to win tonight.
Glasgow led 6-0 at the break after to two penalties from George Horne, and the Stormers’ case was further hampered when captain Salmaan Moerat received a yellow card in the second half for making head-on collision with Warriors substitute Nathan McBeth.
Scott Cummings of the Glasgow Warriors celebrates at halftime following their victory over the DHL Stormers in the BKT United Rugby Championship play-off quarterfinal at Scotstoun Stadium on June 8, 2024. (Image courtesy of SNS Group / Ross MacDonald)
Scott Cummings of the Glasgow Warriors celebrates at halftime following their victory over the DHL Stormers in the BKT United Rugby Championship play-off quarterfinal at Scotstoun Stadium on June 8, 2024. (Image courtesy of SNS Group / Ross MacDonald)
Ben Loader’s try in the corner gave the Stormers the game’s opening try despite having one less man. Nearly instantly, Cancelliere got a try back for Glasgow, but Paul de Wet dummied and dove over the visitors a few minutes later. In the first half, Manie Libbok missed both of his attempts to go along with two poorly executed penalties, while Horne had converted Cancelliere’s touchdown. Glasgow maintained their lead, 13–10, and they concluded the game with tries from Venter and Thompson, who were both converted by the outstanding Horne.
Smith will now focus on Munster, the team that won the URC regular season the previous year and placed first overall. They defeated the Ospreys on Friday to secure their spot in the semi-finals.
“Regardless of who we faced in the semifinals, it was always going to be a difficult game,” Smith remarked. Regardless of Munster, we were aware that it would be difficult. It will undoubtedly be an exciting semifinal.
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“They responded to our excellent matchup with them last season with a close victory here. It will undoubtedly be an exciting semifinal.
As he discussed the unusually cool June in Scotland on Friday, Smith—who is more used to warmer summers—seemed almost disbelieving. However, his crew was well-prepared for the weather and took advantage of it. The Stormers had left South Africa in small batches, and the team didn’t come together until Wednesday. As a result, training was challenging this week, but on a night when the home team appeared to be winning, at least in theory, their coach, John Dobson, offered no excuses.
