Stormers 17-28 Glasgow: Three things we learned

Sensational Sione

In the week he was announced as Scotland captain for the upcoming autumn internationals, Sione Tuipulotu gave yet another reminder of his game-altering abilities.

From the first whistle, the centre set the agenda, punching holes in the Stormers defence with powerful bursts.

He showed good anticipation to telegraph Seb Cancielliere’s clever kick through to grab a try, and fired a long pass out to Kyle Rowe – some would argue it may have been a shade forward – to set the winger free for Glasgow’s third try. Rowe still had plenty to do, and he did it brilliantly.

Tuipulotu has become a player that opposition teams fear. He can carry like a train, handle like a surgeon and his understanding of where holes may appear means he can put the likes of Huw Jones through those gaps time and again.

He has become one of the best, most complete centres in world rugby and much of Scotland’s hopes for a successful autumn rest on his shoulders.

Matthews sends a message

As Scotland squad announcements under Gregor Townsend go, the latest for the Autumn Nations Series was fairly routine, with only a couple of controversial calls – the main one being the non-selection of Johnny Matthews.

The omission of the Glasgow hooker continues to bemuse those who have watched him become a key cog in a winning Warriors machine.

He looked like a man on a mission in Stellenbosch. He put in some monstrous hits, made two clean breaks, carried for 50m, beat six defenders and bagged his customary try.

Townsend’s only reasoning for leaving Matthews out has been to point to the form of others, but none of those selected ahead of him - Ewan Ashman, Dylan Richardson or Patrick Harrison - can point to the successes Matthews has enjoyed in the past year or so.

Clearly the national head coach sees flaws in Matthews’ game that he feels make him unreliable in the Test arena. It would be good to know what they are because Franco Smith clearly believes his first-choice hooker is a man who can handle the big occasion.

Venter the unsung hero

Henco Venter was a Glasgow signing that attracted a bit of criticism when it was announced in the summer of 2023.

Why were Warriors signing a 31-year-old South African journeyman while releasing young Scottish back-rows who had never been given a fair crack of the whip?

Nobody is questioning the signing now. Venter has been an influential presence, particularly during the Test periods when the likes of Rory Darge, Matt Fagerson and Jack Dempsey are away with the national team.

Venter is tough and when he comes off the bench in the biggest games he brings an edge and an intensity that is priceless in the heat of a knife-edge contest.

He may not be the player who grabs the headlines, but you sense Franco Smith would trust his compatriot to be thrown into any situation and deliver for his team.