Match Preview: DHL Stormers v Vodacom Bulls

This huge North v South derby is set to attract the second biggest crowd in the BKT URC this season.

More than 34,000 tickets have already been sold for the much anticipated Cape Town clash, amid an expectation of going past the 40,000 mark.

Only the Round 6 meeting between Leinster and Munster has drawn a larger attendance so far this term, with 49,246 turning out at the Aviva Stadium.

Both South African sides warmed up by figuring in extremely tight Investec Champions Cup ties last weekend.

The DHL Stormers came from behind to beat title holders La Rochelle 21-20 thanks to a nerveless late touchline conversion from Springbok fly-half Manie Libbok.

In contrast, Jake White’s Bulls went down to a 29-28 defeat away to Lyon after leading 18-12 at the break.

DHL Stormers v Vodacom Bulls

DHL Stadium, Cape Town – KO 17.00 IRE & UK / 18.00 ITA / 19.00 SA

Referee: Marius can der Westhuizen (SARU, 19th league game)

AR 1: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU) AR 2: Griffin Colby (SARU)

TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)

Live on: SuperSport, Viaplay, TG4, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

DHL Stormers: Damian Willemse, Suleiman Hartzenberg, Ruhan Nel, Jean-Luc du Plessis, Leolin Zas, Manie Libbok, Paul de Wet, Sti Sithole, Joseph Dweba, Neethling Fouche, Adre Smith, Ruben van Heerden, Deon Fourie (CAPT), Ben-Jason Dixon, Hacjivah Dayimani

Replacements: Andre-Hugo Venter, Ali Vermaak, Brok Harris, Connor Evans, Willie Engelbrecht, Keke Morabe, Stefan Ungerer, Clayton Blommetjies

Vodacom Bulls: Willie le Roux, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Stedman Gans, David Kriel, Canan Moodie, Johan Goosen, Embrose Papier, Gerhard Steenekamp, Akker van der Merwe, Wilco Louw, Janko Swanepoel, Reinhardt Ludwig, Marco van Staden, Elrigh Louw (CAPT), Cameron Hanekom

Replacements: Simphiwe Matanzima, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Mornay Smith, Deon Slabbert, Mpilo Gumede, Keagan Johannes, Chris Smith, Sebastian de Klerk