Melbourne Rebels' Tom English breaks through the Stormers' defence © Getty Images

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Matches: Melbourne Rebels 30 - 21 Stormers

Tournaments/Tours: Super Rugby

Stormers coach Allister Coetzee described his side's loss to the Melbourne Rebels on Friday night as the worst he has ever been involved in.

The South African side controlled much of the match against the Rebels, but a host of errors while in possession and a late penalty try eventually meant they fell to a 30-21 loss at AAMI Park.

Stormers captain Jean de Villiers labelled the loss as embarrassing and Coetzee echoed the sentiments of his skipper when asked about the performance of his team after the match.

"We were just shocking," a blunt Coetzee said. "As a group this has been our worst performance that I have been involved with. There was no lack of effort at training during the week, they were in high spirits, and they just couldn't take that on to the pitch tonight."

It was the Stormers' third loss in succession and means they now have the task ahead if they are to qualify for the Super Rugby finals for the fourth consecutive season.

Last year's minor premiers sit second last in the South African conference with 30 points, well behind conference leaders the Bulls (41 points) and the Crusaders (38) in the final wildcard position.

Coetzee admitted that it will be hard for his side to feature in the finals, but he hasn't given up hope just yet.

"Mathematically it becomes very difficult now," he said. "We are a very proud side and we will find something to play for. Whenever we play at Newlands in front of our home crowd there has got to be a desire that we will never give up or give in. We are playing the Reds when we go back home next week and they are a good side and you can't turn up with the attitude like tonight."