Stormers booked their place in the URC semi-finals with a commanding 44-21 victory over Cardiff, setting up a showdown against either Leinster in Dublin or fellow South African side Lions at home. Head coach John Dobson had earlier stirred controversy by labeling Cardiff the easiest of potential quarter-final opponents, a comment made because they were the Stormers' most recent opposition.

Despite Cardiff welcoming back Wales wing Josh Adams and lock Josh McNally, the absence of Test trio Alex Mann, Mason Grady and Teddy Williams proved costly. The Welsh visitors started brightly through James Botham and McNally, but a forward pass halted their momentum. Stormers' dominant scrum earned penalties that piled pressure on Cardiff, leading to a string of disciplinary issues.

Jacob Beetham intercepted a loose pass to set up Winnett for Cardiff's opening try, but Stormers punished ill-discipline with tries from hooker Venter and prop Mchunu. Cardiff's yellow cards to Assiratti and Sebastian reduced them to 13 men, effectively ending the contest. Willemse and Zas combined effectively, with Zas powering through tackles for a crucial second-half try.

Stormers' superior fitness and discipline told in the closing stages as Jurie Matthee kicked two late penalties and replacement hooker Kotze scored. The win sends Stormers into the semi-finals with momentum, while Cardiff's injury list and penalty count proved too much to overcome in Cape Town.