Sharks centre Lukhanyo Am shattered the Stormers’ dream of reaching the playoffs when he scored with the last touch of the game to beat their hosts 12-9 at Newlands on Saturday.
With the winner of the match advancing to the playoffs, the Stormers thought they had done enough to win the encounter and book a flight to Canberra where they would have cross swords with the Brumbies in the last eight.
Jean-Luc du Plessis had given them a 9-5 lead with four minutes to play with a penalty conversion.
But they couldn't hold on for the win and instead it will now be the Sharks who will make trip the Down Under after Am touched down after the hooter had gone.
It was perhaps a fitting end to the season for the Capetonians.
WIN AT THE DEATH: Sharks ace Lukhanyo Am. Photo: Phando Jikelo/ANA.
Having threatened to arrive throughout the campaign, coach Robbie Fleck’s charges never really hit fifth gear in a season that was derailed by injuries to star men.
With it being Fleck’s final year in charge of the team, captain Steven Kitshoff says they wanted to give their boss the perfect going-away present.
Full-time at DHL Newlands where @TheSharksZA have scored after the hooter to claim a 12-9 victory and secure their place in the play-offs. Well played to the visitors and all the best for the quarterfinal next week. #STOvSHA
— DHL STORMERS (@THESTORMERS) June 15, 2019
Kitshoff explains: “It is an honour to work with him [Fleck].
“Throughout my entire Stormers career, he has been involved. He is such a legend.
“It’s disappointing not to give him a full crack at the Super Rugby title.
“To let him down is not a nice feeling.
“A lot of credit must go to him for all the hard work he puts in.”
END OF AN ERA: Steven Kitshoff licked to exit. Photo: Backpagepix.
The Springbok loosehead prop is one of a number of players that may have played their last match for the Cape franchise.
Earlier this season it was reported that there are some overseas clubs interested in his services.
With superstar Bok lock Eben Etzebeth already on his way out after having signed for Toulon in France, captain Siya Kolisi has also been rumoured to be on his way out after this year’s World Cup, the match was an end of an era for the franchise.
The defeat to the Durbanites left the Stormers in 10th place on the log - a position this team will feel is a testament to the failure of living up to their expectations in the hooped jersey.