The Stormers' Super Rugby playoff jinx continued as they slipped to a 17-11 defeat to the Chiefs in their quarterfinal played at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday, to end another promising season on a low note.
The Chiefs were full value for their win as wing Shaun Stevenson scored their only try to go with four penalties from fullback Damian McKenzie.
The Stormers were right in the game to the end and missed the chance to take the lead with 10 minutes to go when fullback SP Marais put his penalty wide, but he did slot two shots at goal to go with a try for loose-forward Siya Kolisi.
It is a repeat win for the Chiefs from the quarterfinals last season, though the manner was quite different. Rather than the try-fest 12 months ago that finished 61-20 in their favour, this was a battle of attrition and strong defence from both sides.
It took 24 minutes for the first points to be scored and they went the way of the home side when Marais slotted a penalty.
But repeated errors from the Stormers allowed McKenzie to keep the scoreboard ticking, as he landed three penalties of his own to take the visitors into a 9-3 halftime lead.
The home side made the brighter start to the second period and after a fine kick to touch from Marais, Kolisi went over in the corner after the Chiefs held up the attempted driving maul.
Marais missed the conversion and McKenzie then extended the visitors' lead to four points after the Stormers were penalised for going offside.
Chiefs flank Sam Cane was sent to the sin-bin for a reckless tackle on Stormers wing Dillyn Leyds and that turned the momentum in the favour of the home side.
Marais cut the Chiefs lead to one point when he landed another penalty, but then missed the opportunity to give his side the lead when he put another, tougher, effort wide on the angle with 10 minutes remaining.
That piece of luck seemed to spur the Chiefs, who went up field and after battering the Stormers defensive line and sucking in defenders, spread the ball wide for Stevenson to canter in unopposed with his first touch of the ball after coming off the bench.
The Chiefs will now travel to Christchurch to face the Canterbury Crusaders in their semifinal next weekend, while the other last four clash sees the Lions at home to the Wellington Hurricanes.