The Stormers re-ignited their Super Rugby season with a hard-fought 18-16 win over the Hurricanes in Palmerston North on Friday.
A charged down conversion was all that seperated the two sides.
The Hurricanes' classy backline wrenched the momentum at the end of the first half, with winger Matt Proctor gliding over at the left corner after a pinpoint pass from Beuden Barrett.
South Africa winger Bryan Habana, returning to the side after a long layoff with a knee injury, brilliantly charged down Barrett's conversion kick after the siren to limit the deficit to 11-7 at halftime.
Joe Pietersen slotted two penalty goals to put the Stormers two points up 14 minutes after the break, but the Hurricanes responded with a brilliant team try on the hour mark.
Flanker Brad Shields made a dart toward the line, spun around in a tackle and offloaded to fullback Andre Taylor who dived over at the right corner for the Hurricanes' second.
The Stormers made a stunning response four minutes later, with barnstorming number eight Duane Vermeulen crashing toward the line and Gio Aplon ghosting through the Hurricanes' defence to collect a sharp pass and roll over the line under a pile of players.
The Hurricanes blew a gilt-edged chance to recapture the lead with 10 minutes left, when Barrett hurled a long pass to the left corner that proved too hot for streaming winger Proctor to handle.
The ball spilled over the touchline to the Stormers' relief and the Cape Town side defended stoutly to secure a morale-boosting win.
