The Stormers kept up hopes of a playoff place with a handy victory over the Highlanders on Saturday, outscoring them with four tries to three.

The Stormers, who started the weekend bottom of the South African conference, were 17-3 ahead at half-time after tries from new scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies and captain Siya Kolisi.

The Highlanders, also needing points in search of a playoff berth, scored second-half tries through Patelesio Tomkinson, Waisake Naholo and Siate Tokolahi.

But the Stormers always keep themselves ahead as lock Cobus Wiese and substitute Jean-Luc du Plessis also went over.