Following a dominant 53-16 victory for Harlequins over the Stormers, here are our five takeaways from the Investec Champions Cup encounter at the Twickenham Stoop on Saturday.

The top line

Harlequins put a second-string Stormers to the sword as Cadan Murley and Alex Dombrandt both scored hat-tricks as they responded to their disappointing defeat to Racing 92.

After an error-strewn start from the Premiership outfit, which allowed the South Africans to go 6-0 in front through a pair of Jurie Matthee penalties, the hosts finally got their act together. It was Murley who set the ball rolling by going over for his first and, although an Irne Herbst yellow card threatened to derail Quins, the Londoners refocused and won that period 7-0.

The irrepressible Danny Care gave them the lead before Dombrandt’s first try made sure they had a comfortable lead at the interval. Marcus Smith and Matthee traded three-pointers at the start of the second period but Quins very much found their stride after that.

They ripped the Stormers apart, with Murley and Dombrandt completing their hat-tricks before Sam Riley rounded off the scoring to secure an emphatic Champions Cup win that kick-started their campaign.

Danny Care’s still got it

He may be playing less of a role nowadays, with Will Porter usurping him to become first choice, but the former England scrum-half showed off his repertoire against the Stormers. It was a tough start for Quins as the Stormers showed much more physicality and willing than their South African rivals, the Sharks, but the hosts eventually gained control of proceedings.

Care was central to that. Although the visitors were successful at making the breakdown a mess on occasions, the playmaker managed it well and was still able to influence the encounter, particularly around the fringes. His lovely delay set up Dombrandt for his first score, while the way he straightened the line for the number eight’s hat-trick effort showed his experience and class.

Never a contest

With the injuries, it was going to be difficult, but when the Stormers rotated heavily from the Toulon defeat, it made their task virtually impossible. They started well enough, going 6-0 ahead, but once Quins got into their stride, they were no match for the Englishmen.

In the second half, it rather turned into a bloodbath as the Londoners ran in four tries in 14 minutes to take them to within touching distance of the half-century, before they eventually broke the 50-point mark late on. Unfortunately, yet another Champions Cup clash became an uncompetitive affair, which has been all too familiar in the competition’s current guise.

Quins efficiency

Last weekend, Harlequins created plenty but were far too profligate. However, on Saturday, they were more clinical, which will please both players and coaches alike. Granted, the approach between Racing, who defended their line for dear life, and the Stormers was stark, but the hosts found their scoring boots at the Twickenham Stoop.

It was certainly not perfect, especially early on, but they took their chances when entering the Stormers 22 before finding their attacking rhythm in the second half. That led to a couple of well-worked scores for Murley before Care’s sumptuous offload for Riley’s try completed a fine evening for Quins.

Dreadful weekend for South Africa

On the basis of Saturday’s efforts, no South African team will be making the knockout stages in what was a disastrous day for the Republic. For the Bulls, who went down to a surprise home defeat to Northampton Saints, it could prove to be particularly costly as they succumbed to a second successive loss.

The Sharks and Stormers at least have an excuse due to their extensive injury lists, but for the latter that is now two consecutive reversals, which leaves them perilously close to exiting the competition. The Durban outfit are the best-placed side at the moment thanks to their comfortable win over Exeter Chiefs last weekend, but they have two extremely tough games against Toulouse and Bordeaux-Begles to come.

Meanwhile, in the Challenge Cup, the Cheetahs also suffered a defeat, going down to Cardiff 26-10. At least the Lions managed to triumph as they overcame Pau 43-35 in the second-tier competition, but it has been a disappointing weekend for the South African teams.