Following last week’s classic duel between the Stormers and Bulls in round 8 of the Vodacom URC, another blockbuster South African derby awaits on Saturday.
A brilliant derby in front of an enthralled crowd of 42 000 at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday was won 26-20 by the Stormers who recorded a seventh successive URC victory over the Bulls.
Pending two Welsh clashes and a battle between Irish giants Leinster and Munster on Tuesday, the result pushed the Stormers up two places to eighth on the URC table, while the Bulls slipped one spot to fourth.
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Looking ahead to round 9, the Stormers host the Sharks on Saturday well aware of the importance of making the most of home-ground advantage, especially after a winless UK tour earlier this season.
The Sharks, meanwhile, take the field with a sense of desperation to sway their fortunes in the competition, after bagging only one win in their opening seven matches. The Durbanites will also target the game against the Lions at Kings Park on 6 January as an opportunity to bank a valuable home victory.
Round 8 results:
Glasgow Warriors 22 Edinburgh 10
Ulster 20 Connacht 19
Zebre 24 Benetton 31
Stormers 26 Bulls 20
Cardiff 55 Dragons 21
Scarlets 11 Ospreys 25
Munster 3 Leinster 9
Round 9 fixtures:
Saturday, 30 December
Benetton v Zebre (3:30pm)
Edinburgh v Glasgow (5pm)
Stormers v Sharks (7pm)
Monday, 1 January
Connacht v Munster (5pm)
Ospreys v Cardiff (5pm)
Dragons v Scarlets (7:15pm)
Leinster v Ulster (7:15pm)
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