‘Classy’ Will Skelton shows amazing sportsmanship in caring moment during gruelling Stormers clash
La Rochelle's Will Skelton protects opponent from other players.
Gargantuan second-row Will Skelton won hearts as he showed incredible sportsmanship during La Rochelle’s narrow 21-22 win over the Stormers in Cape Town.
The two teams met for the second time this season at DHL Stadium but this time in the round-of-16. The hosts got off to a great start and by the early stages of the second period held a 16-0 lead over the French side.
However, that all changed as the Champions Cup holders found their rhythm and got back into the game leading to a brutal incident near the hour mark.
Amazing act
Skelton carried the ball strongly into contact where Stormers captain Salmaan Moerat attempted to tackle the Australian but got his head on the wrong side, leading to a massive collision knocking the South African seemingly out cold.
The Wallaby was quick to realise his opponent was not in a good space and remained close by to check on him and it’s a good thing he did as the play came back to Moerat. Skelton heroically shielded the Stormer from a group of players in the tackle and immediately called for help.
An incredible moment of sportsmanship from @staderochelais star Will Skelton to protect his opponent.#InvestecChampionsCup #STOvSR #STOvLAR pic.twitter.com/Ch0Rlw12sm
— FloRugby (@FloRugby) April 6, 2024
Fortunately, Moerat was able to get on his feet and walk off the field. It was a true display of sportsmanship and one that typifies the values within the great sport of rugby union.
La Rochelle would go on to win the game by the skin of their teeth with Springbok Manie Libbok unable to kick the winning conversion as he did when the Stormers won the pool stage clash between the same teams.
Next up
The victory over the depleted Stormers side, who lost several players to injury, means that La Rochelle will face their rivals Leinster in a replay of the last two Champions Cup finals.
The match-up comes after Leinster put away Leicester Tigers 36-22 thanks to a sharp first-half hat-trick from sensational scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park.
