The Stormers laboured to a 31-18 win over the Sunwolves at Newlands yesterday that leaves their chance of making the Super Rugby play-offs firmly in their own control.
No 8 Jaco Coetzee, a bright light in an otherwise underwhelming game, scored two tries, the second seven minutes from time.
He thought he had earned the Stormers a crucial bonus point when he scored his second and the team's fourth.
But the Stormers failed to claim the restart and several phases later the Sunwolves were in for their second try from fullback Semisi Masiwera, which denied the Stormers the extra log point.
How that might come back to haunt the Stormers in the race to the post-season will only be revealed after their final match against the Sharks at Newlands next week.
Instead of climbing to sixth on the standings with 35 points, they are in seventh on 34. It might come down to needing a bonus point against their coastal rivals next week.
Instead of climbing to sixth on the standings with 35 points, the Stormers are now in seventh on 34. It might come down to needing a bonus point against the Sharks next week
The match resembled something worthy of a Super Rugby billing in the second half, but the first half was insipid.
The Sunwolves' tactic of kicking deep and avoiding set pieces worked for the most part in the first half, but it made for an untidy match.
The home team, devastated by injuries, handed out three debuts and as a result they looked as disjointed as expected. The Sunwolves didn't add to the spectacle initially.
The visitors seemed more intent on damage limitation than scoring in the opening half, which made for a pallid game.
The home team managed two first-half tries, the first coming the way of hooker Bongi Mbonambi, who broke away from a rolling maul to score in the 16th minute.
Their second was scored through wing Craig Barry, who benefited from a midfield interception by centre Dan Kriel, which gave the home team a lift before half-time.
After the break the Stormers enjoyed the first scrum on their own ball, and immediately won a penalty. It was a sign of what could have been with more set pieces.
Coetzee scored after a turnover following a kick by scrumhalf Jano Vermaak, who was on for the injured Herschel Jantjies, and good work from Barry in the chase.
The bonus point was on, but Masirewa's clinical finishing for his ninth and 10th tries of the season dashed those hopes.
Stormers(14) 31
Sunwolves (6) 18
Stormers - Tries: Bongi Mbonambi, Craig Barry, Jaco Coetzee (2); Conversion: Jean-Luc du Plessis (3), Josh Stander; Penalty: Stander
Sunwolves - Tries: Semisi Masirewa (2); Conversion: Hayden Parker; Penalties: Parker (2)
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