The Waratahs defeated the Stormers 34‑27 in a dramatic opening‑round of the Super Rugby match at Allianz Stadium.
At the last moment Ned Hanigan clinched the win for the Waratahs following a line-out steal after the final siren.
They scored four tries and were down to 14 men for 10 minutes of the second half when lock Rob Simmons was sin‑binned for a line-out infringement.
The Waratahs will face the Sharks in their next game at 1.05am next Sunday.
Meanwhile defending champion Crusaders defeated the Chiefs 45-23.
In other results the Brumbies made a comeback to defeat the Sunwolves 32-22, the Lions overpowered the Jaguares 47-27 and the Bulls defeated the Hurricanes 21-19.
In upcoming games the Chiefs will face the Blues at 6.35pm on Friday while the Reds will take on the Brumbies at 9.00pm.
Next Saturday night the Crusaders will clash with the Stormers at 6.35pm and the Sunwolves will take on the Rebels at 9pm.
Next Sunday the Sharks and the Waratahs will go head to head at 1.05am, meanwhile Bulls will face the Lions at 3.15am and the Jaguares will take on the Hurricanes at 9.40am.
