Rugby: Stormers post maiden win in Canberra

Schalk Burger of the Stormers runs the ball. Photo / Getty Images

Stormers 16
Brumbies 3

The Stormers posted their first Super Rugby win in a chilly Canberra with a 16-3 triumph against the Brumbies on tonight.

The visitors scored one try to nil in a defensive match for their 10th win of the year, a result that also inflicted the home side's record 10th loss in a season.

Stormers captain Schalk Burger was immense in defence along with his hit ups, while 208cm lock Andries Bekker was a pest in the line-out, stealing several throws to keep the Cape Town side on top of the South African conference.

Super 15 standings

The win was the Stormers' first in seven matches in Canberra, meaning they join the Reds and Lions this season in posting their maiden victories in Australia's capital, in a year to forget for the Brumbies.

Defeat for the Brumbies means the two-time Super Rugby winners have gone winless against all South African opponents for the first time in a season.

The home side started on the back foot before the match with captain Matt Giteau ruled out due to illness, Matt Toomua replacing the Wallaby at five-eighth.

Giteau's replacement as captain, hooker Stephen Moore, led the side from the front with Henry Speight making several bursts on the right.

But handling, poor passing and a lack of continuity have blighted the Brumbies during 2011.

The visitors started the scoring in the second half with flanker Francis Louw crossing the line just to the left of the posts following a drive from a lineout in the 45th minute.

The Stormers went into half-time ahead 6-3 in a period where handling and discipline let down both sides.

A Christian Lealiifano penalty put the home side ahead in the 10th minute before Stormers five-eighth Kurt Coleman levelled the score 15 minutes later.

Coleman put the visitors ahead three minutes before the break with his second penalty.

STORMERS 16 (Francois Louw try Kurt Coleman con Coleman 2, Gio Aplon pens) bt BRUMBIES 3 (Christian Lealiifano pen) at Canberra Stadium. Referee: Marius Jonker. Crowd: 10,311.

- AAP