Stormers bounce back against Bulls as focus turns to crucial URC home run

The Stormers ended their losing streak in spectacular fashion with a bonus-point victory over the Bulls on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld, reclaiming second place on the United Rugby Championship (URC) table.

Few had given the struggling Cape side much chance of victory, particularly given the strong form of their hosts and the Stormers’ recent difficulties against fellow South African teams. But the Capetonians seldom need extra motivation when facing the Bulls, and once again they maintained their impressive URC record against their arch-rivals.

After 12 meetings in the competition, the numbers tell a clear story: ten wins for the Stormers and two for the Bulls. It underlines just how formidable the former URC champions are when they come up against their Pretoria rivals.

However, there is little time to dwell on the result. The real challenge begins now.

Although the Stormers have a favourable run of four home matches ahead, they still face several demanding encounters if they hope to hold on to second place and secure a potential home quarter-final — and perhaps even a semi-final — in the URC play-offs.

“We have a run of home games, and we obviously want to win all of them,” Stormers director of rugby John Dobson said.

“If you can finish in the top four and play a home quarter-final, that will be massive. We were dreaming of going to Cardiff and Belfast in our final two games with not a lot of pressure on us. That is where our goal is now. If we had lost against the Bulls, that was out.

“It is still alive, but we might have to win one of those on the road. Glasgow at home is easier said than done, but the belief is back in the changeroom.”

Stormers captain Ruhan Nel praised the team’s togetherness, especially after lock Adré Smith and flanker BJ Dixon were shown yellow cards. It left the visitors with 13 players on the field, but they stepped up to prevent the Bulls from taking control of the game.

It came at a time when the Stormers were under immense pressure, even at scrum time. Nel felt they simply had to return to their identity this season — a strong set-piece and kicking game — and that when they execute those well, their natural attacking play follows.

“Our patience on the field against the Bulls was exceptional,” Nel said.

“The Bulls have so many attacking threats. At one stage I looked up and saw Kurt-Lee Arendse on the wing, Canan Moodie at centre, Harold Vorster at 12, Handré Pollard at fly-half, and then they brought on Willie le Roux. I thought, ‘flip, we are basically playing a Springbok backline’.

“However, the patience we showed when we were down to 13 players was really impressive. It is a sign of maturity as well. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Gaza (Damian Willemse) and Boogey (Warrick Gelant) controlled that brilliantly. We could easily have forced things on attack.

“The way we stuck to our plan and continued to put them under pressure, even with 13 men, is a true testament to our character and the hard work put in over the last couple of weeks.”