Connacht fell to an opening-night defeat in the United Rugby Championship, losing 22-15 to the Stormers at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Despite a strong finish to the first half, the Stormers' power ultimately proved decisive in the second.
After a slow start, Connacht turned the game around in the dying minutes of the first half with two quick-fire tries, taking a 15-10 lead into the break. Mack Hansen, returning from a foot injury, grounded a try to narrow the deficit, followed by Josh Ioane's finish after a turnover.
However, the Stormers dominated the second half, with Sazi Sandi's try putting them ahead with 25 minutes remaining. Vernon Paulo and Ezekiel Ngobeni then sealed the win with two late tries, converted by Yaqeen Ahmed, as the South African side left Galway with the points.