Stormers must block Springboks coach talk to tame the Bulls in URC derby

The Stormers head into the north–south derby with the DHL Stadium buzzing, the United Rugby Championship (URC) log looking healthy, and a rather loud bit of noise coming from Gauteng.

Bulls head coach Johan Ackermann’s decision to rope in a couple of Springbok coaches for derby week has certainly added spice, but it’s also the oldest trick in the rivalry book: create a bit of talk, shift focus from the struggling Pretoria side, and hope the Stormers blink first.

That’s exactly what the Cape side must avoid at home.

However, this Stormers team doesn’t need reminding of who they are or where they’re going. Seven games into the new URC season and they’ve delivered seven unbeaten performances, and their clear dominance over South African opposition in the tournament speaks loudly enough.

The danger now is allowing the Bulls’ mind games to suggest that outside expertise — particularly World Cup-winning fundi’s — is somehow required to derail their campaign. But it isn’t.

The Cape side’s success so far has been built on continuity, belief in the players, coaches and game plan, and a keen understanding of their own structures — even when under stress and without key stars. They don’t need guest appearances or borrowed brilliance to stay on track.

What they need is to keep doing what they’ve been doing better than any local rival: play with tempo, trust their structures, and turn pressure into points the weekend.

Despite the struggles of the Loftus side, Saturday won’t be taken lightly, though. The Lions made sure of that just before Christmas, pushing the Stormers harder than expected and exposing moments where focus drifted and execution slumped. Those lessons won’t be lost.

John Dobson, director of rugby, alongside his assistant coaches and players will have reviewed where they allowed the Johannesburg side to hang around, and they’ll know the Bulls — with a couple of Bok coaching eyes assisting — will be scrutinizing for similar cracks.

The visitors, after all, will arrive knowing that defence is non-negotiable in Cape Town. They’ll want to slow the game, disrupt rhythm, and test patience. Add the narrative of Springbok coaches in the background, and the Stormers’ mental discipline becomes just as important as their physical output.

For the home side, the equation is simple. They must start fast, find rhythm early especially on the attack and get the crowd involved. Most importantly, though, they must block out the noise — especially the Bok coach talk — and keep eyes firmly on the bigger prize.

This won’t be about proving a point to the Bulls, but about strengthening their position at the summit of the URC log and reminding everyone that dominance doesn’t need outside help. If the Stormers can do that, Saturday should be less about mind games and more about momentum — and that’s a contest they’ve shown they’re more than ready to win.