The NSW Waratahs ground down the Stormers 22-11 in Cape Town to finish their South African tour on a high with their first away win of the Super Rugby season.
The two-try arm-wrestle was exactly the type of low-scoring affair one would expect against the defensively-strong Stormers at Newlands.
Both sides entered the match without a number of key players, but ill-discipline late in the game by the Stormers allowed the Waratahs to kick away through a string of penalty goals.
The win means the Waratahs are just the second side from 20 attempts this year to win a game after crossing the Indian Ocean, lifting them to fourth on the table.
Waratahs No.15 Kurtley Beale had more of a playmaking role at fullback in Israel Folau's absence, constantly hitting runners on the inside near the fringe of the ruck.
"He's got great skills Kurtley, great vision, him coming in there at second receiver adds a lot more to our attack and I was really happy with his performance," Waratahs captain Dave Dennis said.
The Waratahs dominated territory and possession, especially early, but constantly turned over the ball before delivering a five-point blow.
It was frustrating to watch and NSW coach Michael Cheika, who has been in the media in recent weeks for his fiery passion, was seen laughing heartily in the coach's box at a decision made by referee Glen Jackson against his side when they were hot on attack.
Halfback Nick Phipps scored the opening try in the 13th minute after swooping on an untidy Stormers scrum to put his side up 7-3.
But the home side soon hit back when ever-elusive centre Juan de Jongh made his second line break of the match to put winger Kobus van Wyk over in the corner.
Waratahs flyhalf Bernard Foley knocked over three points to give his side a slender 10-8 lead into the break.
Two Waratahs penalties after half time gave the visitors a handy eight-point lead.
No.13 du Jongh then went over a second time, only to be controversially denied by the TMO, however the Stormers had a penalty advantage and sharpshooter Peter Grant reduced the deficit to 16-11.
Another two penalty goals to the Waratahs put them back out to more than a converted try in front at 22-11.
The Stormers pressed hard late, and Phipps was shown a yellow card after the siren, but the Waratahs held strong to deny them a bonus point.
"Just the second half, we couldn't execute," Stormers captain Duane Vermeulen said.
"There were slight errors, little small mistakes that crept in and that was our problem."
