The Bulls and the Stormers have a historical rivalry that runs deep and over a long period. And the two teams face off again this weekend. File Picture: Bruce Sutherland
The stage is set for one of the most highly anticipated-clashes in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) as the DHL Stormers host the Vodacom Bulls in a crucial north-south derby on Saturday at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town.
With both teams eyeing play-off positions and domestic bragging rights, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
This postponed first-round fixture is the only match of the weekend and serves as the opening act for a thrilling series of local derbies over the next three weeks. Notably, the two fierce rivals will meet again on March 1, making this clash even more pivotal in the race for the SA Shield.
SA Shield and Play-off Race Heating Up
The Stormers currently lead the SA Shield log with 11 points from their three local derby matches, having won two. However, the Vodacom Bulls trail by just five points and have a game in hand. The Hollywoodbets Sharks, meanwhile, sit on nine points from their three encounters, making this a three-way battle for domestic dominance.
For the Bulls, this fixture is about more than just the SA Shield –it’s also an opportunity to close the gap at the top of the overall URC standings. The Pretoria-based outfit sits in third place with 30 points, seven points behind second-placed Glasgow Warriors and 18 behind table-toppers Leinster. With two games in hand, they will be eager to push for a top-two finish to secure home-ground advantage in the play-offs.
The Stormers, on the other hand, find themselves in a precarious 12th position with 21 points – just three points shy of the eighth-placed Edinburgh. With eight more pool matches remaining after this encounter, they will be determined to break into the top half of the table and boost their play-off aspirations.
Form Guide and Key Matchups
The Bulls enter this weekend’s clash with confidence, having won six of their eight matches this season, including a 35-22 victory over the Emirates Lions in their last outing. Their consistent performances have cemented them as a formidable force in the competition.
However, they face a Stormers side that boasts an impressive home record, having won three of their four matches at DHL Stadium this season. Despite suffering a heavy 36-12 defeat to Leinster in their previous match, the Cape side will be fired up to bounce back in front of their passionate home crowd.
Adding further intrigue to the fixture is the Stormers’ historical dominance over the Bulls in the URC. The Cape Town outfit has won seven of their last eight encounters against their Pretoria rivals, including four of their last five meetings. Notably, they also triumphed in the 2021/22 Grand Final at DHL Stadium, a memory that will serve as extra motivation for John Dobson’s charges.
Attack vs Defence
Statistically, the teams are closely matched on attack, with the Bulls having scored only 19 more points than the Stormers. However, the key difference lies in their defensive performances. The Bulls have conceded just 150 points this season, while the Stormers have leaked 214, highlighting a significant area for improvement for the Cape-based side.
With home advantage, history, and play-off ambitions all on the line, this URC derby promises to be an enthralling contest. A near-capacity crowd is expected at DHL Stadium, and fans can expect a clash filled with intensity, drama, and no shortage of physicality.
Match Information
Date: Saturday, 8 February
Venue: DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off Time: 2pm (SA Time)
Referee: Morné Ferreira
TV Broadcast: SuperSport