Stormers: (14) 40

Tries: Schickerling, Libbok, Sithole, Gelant, De Wet, Venter Cons: Libbok 4, Du Plessis

Sale Sharks: (0)

Stormers cruised past Sale Sharks to claim a bonus-point victory and kickstart their Investec Champions Cup campaign in round three.

The South African side failed to register a single point in their opening two matches, but Stormers director of rugby John Dobson promised the home fans a show in Cape Town and his players duly delivered.

JD Schickerling marked his 50th Stormers appearance with the opening try before Manie Libbok collected a defensive box kick inside his own half before running clear to score the second.

Sale started the second half brightly, but they lacked the clinical edge of their hosts as Luke James spilled a simple cross-field kick for what had been a clear route to the line.

The visitors would rue James’ misfortune as Sti Sithole powered over from close range for Stormers’ third try, before Warrick Gelant wrapped up the bonus point before the hour mark.

Paul de Wet came off the bench to step his way to the line for try number five, before fellow replacement Andre-Hugo Venter burrowed over the whitewash to add further gloss to an impressive display.

Stormers move off the bottom of Pool 4 and replace Sale in fourth place – the final qualification spot – on points difference.

The Premiership side drop to fifth in the table, with a final home game against Toulon to come.

More to follow.

Stormers: Gelant; Hartzenberg, Simelane, Roche, Loader; Libbok, Ungerer; Sithole, Kotze, Malherbe, Moerat (capt), Schickerling, Fourie, Ewers, Theunissen.

Replacements: Venter, Vermaak, Fouche, Van Heerden, Roos, De Villiers, De Wet, Du Plessis.

Sale Sharks: Carpenter; Roebuck, James, Bedlow, Reed; R du Preez (co-capt), Warr; Rodd, Cowan-Dickie, John, Van Rhyn, Andrews, JL du Preez, 7. T Curry (co-capt), 8. D du Preez.

Replacements: McElroy, McIntyre, Harper, Beaumont, Bamber, Thomas, Ma’asi-White, B Curry.

Referee: Ludovic Cayre (Fra)