The Stormers finally host the Bulls in Cape Town on Saturday in this weekend’s rescheduled round one URC derby blockbuster.
PREVIEW: URC – Stormers v Bulls
Saturday 8 February
Stormers | Draw | Bulls
While the hosts have welcomed back several players from injury over the past few months, John Dobson must still contend with more absentees than he would like. With Manie Libbok, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Damien Willemse all out, young Jurie Matthee is next in the flyhalf queue and will have a big opportunity to show what he can do amongst the big boys.
The Pretoria outfit have themselves been hit by a horror run of injuries recently, with Johan Goosen, Elrigh Louw and Ryan Nortje all sidelined long term.
It will be interesting to see how Jake White handles Goosen’s absence in particular, with Willie le Roux putting on a bit of a masterclass when he came off the bench at flyhalf in the Bulls’ win in Johannesburg at the end of January. His presence in the first receiver channel may be the best short-term solution for the 2007 World Cup-winning coach.
Elsewhere, old rivals Marcell Coetzee and Deon Fourie will lock horns in what will be an absorbing battle at the breakdown, while the contest at set piece will ultimately be the difference.
The 12th-placed Capetonians (21-log points) are just three points off the top eight in what is again a hugely competitive playoff dogfight, with the Bulls (30-points) sitting pretty in third and potentially able to close the gap on Glasgow Warriors (37) on the west coast this weekend.
Hot and humid conditions are expected at Cape Town Stadium for what should be a typically fierce and physical SA derby punch-up. Ultimately though the cohesion and confidence of the Bulls should get them over the line in what will be another tight contest.
Verdict: Bulls on the board
The visitors to take the win on Saturday.
