Stormers earn URC SA derby bragging rights over Bulls

The DHL Stormers held out against a late fightback from the Vodacom Bulls in Cape Town on Saturday to claim a seventh successive victory over their rivals.

Ruhan Nel’s fourth try of the season gave the Stormers enough of a buffer to claim a 26-20 Vodacom URC derby and continue their unbeaten run in the tournament against the Vodacom Bulls.

It was a brave display from the hosts, who came into the match missing a host of injured players, and then lost Jean-Luc du Plessis and Clayton Blommetjies to injuries during the match.

It was a thrilling and absorbing encounter at Cape Town Stadium with each team having their moments, but the Vodacom Bulls will be frustrated with their discipline as soft penalties allowed the Stormers to build scoreboard pressure.

The Stormers took a 16-10 lead into the break and would’ve been frustrated not to be further ahead, as they failed to fully capitalise on a yellow card to Bulls loosehead prop Gerhard Steenekamp for a dangerous tackle.

Injuries to Du Plessis and Blommetjies forced the Stormers to twice reshuffle their backline, with fullback Damian Willemse shifting to centre and scrumhalf Paul de Wet to the wing.

The Vodacom Bulls came out firing in the second half and narrowed the deficit to two points when Willie le Roux put Canan Moodie over in the corner. However, the Stormers continued to fight and, through excellent kick pressure, created the opportunity for Nel to stretch the lead to nine points.

The Vodacom Bulls enjoyed a plethora of opportunities in the last 15 minutes, but precision linespeed from the Stormers prevented the visitors from fully capitalising.

After denying a five-metre lineout strike in their own 22, the Stormers repelled the Vodacom Bulls to the other end of the field and forced an error to bring an end to the contest.