The Stormers ended a three-match losing streak as they claimed a stunning 41-24 upset Super Rugby victory over the Rebels in Melbourne on Friday.
Coming into this clash, the Cape-based side had suffered disappointing defeats to the Hurricanes, Blues and Reds, which had seen them fall to 11th on the overall log.
Another loss was widely expected against a Rebels side that has proven to be one of the most well-drilled outfits in the competition, previously winning five from seven games to comfortably top the Australian conference.
However, this time they came up against a Stormers side that clearly had a point to prove, scoring five tries on the way to a much-needed victory.
What makes this result even more impressive for the visitors was the fact that it was achieved without the services of key personnel such as Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit.
The Stormers had only led 10-3 at half-time, while the Rebels, in fact, drew the scores level when Reece Hodge finished off an opportunistic try soon after the restart.
From there, though, the Stormers turned on the style, scoring quick-fire tries through Juarno Augustus, Damian de Allende and Ruhan Nel to suddenly leave the Rebels reeling at 34-10.
That was as good as game, set and match, and although the Rebels would grab late consolation tries to Will Genia and Campbell Magnay, this was still a result for the Stormers to celebrate long into the night.
For good measure, Nel would finish off a last-minute intercept try to ensure that the Stormers went past the 40-point mark.
This was also the ideal result for the Stormers as they can now look forward to an upcoming bye, while the four log points also lift them off the basement of the South African log standings.
Score:
Rebels 24
Tries (3):
Reece Hodge, Will Genia, Campbell Magnay.
Conversions:
Quade Cooper (3).
Penalty:
Cooper.
Stormers 41
Tries (5):
Dillyn Leyds, Juarno Augustus, Damian de Allende, Ruhan Nel (2).
Conversions:
Jean-Luc du Plessis (4), Josh Stander.
Penalties:
Du Plessis, Stander.
African News Agency