STORM WARNING FOR LOFTUS
THE VODACOM Bulls have returned from a difficult Australian trip and will be determined to lift their game at Loftus Versfeld and avoid a record fifth straight loss against their fierce southern rivals, the DHL Stormers, when the sides meet in tomorrow’s late fixture in the Vodacom Super Rugby competition, kicking off at 7.20pm.
The men from Pretoria returned home from their Australian trip with only one win from three matches. The Capetonians, on the other hand, travel to the North to what is expected to be another bruising local derby, on the back of a fortuitous draw against the Sunwolves in Singapore last weekend, where a last-gasp converted try salvaged a 17-17 result in the Far East.
It will also be a big occasion for Springbok centre Damian de Allende (left) who will earn his 50th Vodacom Super Rugby cap for the Stormers. The 24-year-old made his debut in 2013, and has since established himself as a key player, winning the 2015 SA Vodacom Super Rugby Player of the Year award.
An interesting twist to this fixture is the fact that the Stormers have won their last four games against the Bulls; and a fifth straight win would be their longest in the history of this fixture. However, the Bulls are the only team in the competition who are still undefeated at home having won three games and drawing one.
In tomorrow’s earlier match the Emirates Lions will be looking to consolidate their position at the top of the South African group standings. However, in order to do that they will have to overcome a stiff challenge from the Argentine Jaguares. It will be the first local fixture tomorrow, which kicks off at 3pm in Johannesburg.
After that match, attention shifts to Durban where the Cell C Sharks take on their coastal neighbours, the Southern Kings, and with Springbok flyhalf Patrick Lambie now back to full fitness and in command at flyhalf, the KwaZulu-Natalians will be looking to continue their recent resurgence, which have seen them move up the SA group standings into the qualifying positions.
The Toyota Cheetahs, conquerors of the Kings last Saturday in Port Elizabeth, have a bye this weekend, together with the Brumbies, the Highlanders and the Hurricanes.
All the Super Rugby action will be televised live on SuperSport 1
• Full weekend TV Sports Schedule on page 10.