The Vodacom Bulls’ formidable recent record at home is why Jake White’s charges will beat the DHL Stormers in Pretoria on Saturday, according to GAVIN RICH.
The Stormers won all three derbies between the north-south rivals last season, including the inaugural Vodacom United Rugby Championship final, and will travel to Loftus Versfeld this weekend buoyed by a 37-27 victory against the Bulls in Cape Town on 23 December.
But Rich, writing for SuperSport, argued that while the form of the Stormers fringe players may be what accounts for the Capetonians’ second position overall on the URC log and first in the SA Shield, coach John Dobson is missing far more key players to Springbok resting protocols and injuries than the Bulls are, playing at venue where most teams are struggling to win.
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“They’re [the Stormers] making a good fist of their season as URC champions. Whatever happens from here, they’ve well and truly shaken off any perception of them as being a small team,” he writes.
#URC – @mark_keohane is backing the Stormers to make it five from five against @BlueBullsRugby, while Zels believes the side from Pretoria will extend their 12-game unbeaten run at home in the @Vodacom United Rugby Championship. pic.twitter.com/9slmjQdi3Z
— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) February 16, 2023
“If they play out of their skins, the Stormers can win at Loftus. But here’s the thing, they will have to play out of their skins. To win in Pretoria will require them to do something that few have done at the Bulls’ homeground since Jake White took over as Bulls director of rugby in early 2020.
“In fact, it is only themselves [once] and the Sharks [once] who have been on the winning side on the Bulls’ home ground in that period.
NUMBERS THAT MATTER: Bulls vs Stormers
“The Stormers have grown a lot since 22 January 2022. They are a team in that happy, confident space that comes with a good culture and what has now developed into a winning culture. That is also part of the secret as to why fringe players are able to so seamlessly fit in when it is needed.
“But this week the Stormers are going to a venue where the hosts have a record that is as impressive as their own home record at DHL Stadium – 20 consecutive wins since December 2021. It is a cliche to say that the Bulls are a different animal at home but nonetheless it is true.
“That the Stormers are now winning against the Bulls more often than losing is a measure of their growth [but] they are going to have to be very good though to win in Pretoria and in no ways should they be seen as favourites.”
Photo: @THESTORMERS/Twitter