New Zealand secured a comfortable 38-21 victory over the Stormers in an international friendly match in Cape Town on Thursday. The result extended the All Blacks' winning momentum while exposing a Stormers side still searching for consistency at home.
The visitors arrived with four wins in their last five outings, including victories over Ireland and France. The Stormers had mixed results recently, winning three of their past five but suffering heavy defeats against Boland Cavaliers and Leinster.
Twenty-one points to New Zealand's 38 told the story of a match the visitors controlled from start to finish. The Stormers showed flashes but could not string together sustained periods of pressure. The All Blacks, by then, had established a gap that proved insurmountable.
What stands out is the contrast between the two sides' trajectories. New Zealand's recent form suggests a team hitting its stride, while the Stormers continue to struggle with consistency. The friendly offered little in terms of competitive stakes, but the scoreline spoke volumes.
The result leaves both sides with different narratives to build upon. New Zealand can take confidence from their attacking output, while the Stormers will need to address defensive frailties before their next fixture.