Roberts hat-trick in vain as late Stormers tries beat Scarlets 52–40

Joe Roberts scored a hat-trick as Scarlets recovered from 33–14 down to draw level in Cape Town, only for two late Yaqeen Ahmed tries to secure a 52–40 Stormers win on Saturday 24 October. Roberts’ third try, converted by Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, brought Scarlets level at 40–40 in the 66th minute. Ahmed then crossed in the 73rd and 79th minutes to settle a United Rugby Championship match featuring 14 tries.

Scarlets overturn a 19-point half-time deficit

Stormers scored through Zachary Porthen, Haashim Pead, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Seabelo Senatla and Deon Fourie before half-time. Roberts and Ioan Jones replied for Scarlets, but the visitors went into the break 19 points behind. Macs Page scored early in the second half before Roberts added his second. Both tries were converted, cutting the deficit to 33–28. Oliver Reid’s converted try restored a 12-point Stormers advantage. Josh Macleod’s try brought Scarlets back into contention before Roberts completed his treble. Leggatt-Jones’ conversion made it 40–40, leaving the result in the balance until Ahmed’s late double.

Six tries and 540 metres still not enough

The URC match centre records eight Stormers tries to Scarlets’ six, with six conversions for the hosts and five for the visitors. Possession was shared equally. Scarlets gained 540 metres against Stormers’ 456 and made 21 clean breaks to the hosts’ 15. Stormers won eight scrums without losing one; Scarlets won seven and lost one. Those figures describe an open match rather than establishing a single reason for the defeat. The complete scoring timeline and both confirmed team sheets are in Cover’s match centre. Scarlets’ next South African fixture is away to Bulls on 31 October, as confirmed in the club’s travelling-squad announcement.