The Stormers won the first five Vodacom URC north-south derbies at Cape Town Stadium before losing a thriller last season.
Saturday’s clash carries some extra spice and intrigue.
The unbeaten Stormers top the URC standings, while the Bulls are on a five-match losing streak across competitions.
There have been changes to Johan Ackermann’s coaching set-up, while SA Rugby approved a request from the Bulls for assistance in specific technical areas.
MORE: Ackers clarifies Bok coaches assistance
The two sides have met six times in the URC in Cape Town, including four regular-season games, a quarter-final and a final.
The home side won the first five, before the Bulls edged a thriller by a single point.
Stormers vs Bulls in URC at Cape Town Stadium
2021-22: Stormers 19 Lions 17
2021-22: Stormers 18 Lions 13 (final)
2022-23: Stormers 37 Bulls 27
2022-23: Stormers 33 Bulls 21 (quarter-final)
2023-24: Stormers 26 Bulls 20
2024-25: Stormers 32 Bulls 33
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Relive the two most recent clashes between the teams at Cape Town Stadium:
STORMERS 32 BULLS 33
8 February 2025
Round 1, 2024-25 season
A humdinger of a clash which went right down to the wire saw the Bulls emerge with a first URC win in Cape Town in six attempts.
The 33-32 victory only told half the story of a dramatic derby at a sold-out venue.
In a pulsating contest that swung from start to finish, the visitors edged into an 18-17 half-time lead following tries by lock Cobus Wiese and prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels, alongside a conversion and two penalties by centre David Kriel.
Prop Frans Malherbe and lock Salmaan Moerat crossed for the hosts, while flyhalf Jurie Matthee converted both and added a penalty.
The Bulls extended their lead in the second half through tries from centre Harold Vorster and replacement Ruan Vermaak, plus another Kriel penalty.
However, the home side came roaring back through scores from No 8 Evan Roos, fullback Warrick Gelant and flank Ben-Jason Dixon to bring them within a point.
But replacement flyhalf Clayton Blommetjies missed the simple 80th-minute conversion and the Bulls celebrated a historic win.
STATE OF THE URC: Gripping SA derbies kick off new year
STORMERS 26 BULLS 20
23 December 2023
Round 8, 2023-24
The Stormers extended their dominance in the north-south derby with a hard-earned victory over the Bulls in front of 42,000 fans.
In a match played at relentless pace, the Capetonians made it seven successive URC wins, home and away, over their Pretoria-based rivals, building on a 16-10 half-time lead after an action-packed opening stanza.
The Stormers had two of three try appeals correctly overturned after TMO reviews, but two penalties by flyhalf Manie Libbok and a well-timed drop goal by fullback Damian Willemse kept the scoreboard ticking over.
The Bulls struck twice in quick succession through lock Reinhardt Ludwig, who powered over from a 5m maul, and wing Kurt-Lee Arendse, who won a foot race from halfway. However, flyhalf Johan Goosen was unable to convert either effort from the touchline.
The Stormers’ first try proved decisive. Veteran Bok forward Deon Fourie burst through the middle of a ruck to create momentum before centre Jean-Luc du Plessis muscled his way over under the posts for an easy conversion for a 16-10 half-time lead.
Libbok added a third penalty shortly after the restart, before winger Canan Moodie finished neatly in the corner for the Bulls following a long pass from fullback Willie le Roux. A converted Ruhan Nel try with 20 minutes remaining stretched the lead to 26-17.
Replacement Bulls flyhalf Chris Smith cut the deficit late on, but the Stormers’ defence stood firm to seal a memorable derby win.
Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images
