The Stormers will have history on their side when they host the Sharks in a Vodacom URC clash on Saturday.
The Sharks have lost all four of their URC matches at Cape Town Stadium. However, the Stormers’ biggest winning margin was 10 points, and there was a one-point thriller.
With an aggregate points difference of only 21 across the four matches, expect another titanic battle on Saturday night.
The unbeaten Stormers top the URC standings with 36 points, while the Sharks sit 14th with 14.
Stormers vs Sharks in URC at Cape Town Stadium
2021-22: Stormers 20 Sharks 10
2022-23: Stormers 29 Sharks 23
2023-24: Stormers 16 Sharks 15
2024-25: Stormers 24 Sharks 20
Relive the two most recent clashes between the teams at Cape Town Stadium:
STORMERS 24 SHARKS 20
28 December 2024
Round 9, 2024-25 season
The Stormers snatched a dramatic 24-20 win at a sold-out Cape Town Stadium to dent their rivals’ playoff ambitions.
In sweltering conditions, the contest was dominated by set-piece battles and momentum swings, with the Stormers landing the decisive try through Jean-Luc du Plessis in the dying minutes.
The opening half was scrappy and stop-start, with repeated scrums and handling errors disrupting flow. Seabelo Senatla scored early from a Warrick Gelant chip to give the Stormers early hope, but missed kicks and injuries to halfback pair Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Herschel Jantjies blunted their rhythm.
The Sharks led 10-5 at half-time following a long-range Jordan Hendrikse penalty and a converted Yaw Penxe try.
LAKER: Stormers to tighten midfield defence
In the second half, tries from captain Deon Fourie from a maul and a touchdown from Manie Libbok put the Stormers ahead 17-10 with a quarter of an hour remaining. However, the Hendrikse brothers combined, with Jaden sending Jordan through for a converted try to level the scores.
Jordan followed it up with a 45m penalty to put his side in front with five minutes remaining, but the Stormers would not be denied as a surging 20m maul opened the way for the winning try, converted by Libbok.
STORMERS 16 SHARKS 15
30 December 2023
Round 9, 2023-24
The Stormers ended 2023 on a high by edging the Sharks 16-15 in front of 40,000 supporters.
The Sharks came to play and exerted early pressure but the Stormers defence held and from a trademark counter attack, Adre Smith crossed after a sharp offload from Ben-Jason Dixon. Manie Libbok converted for a 7-0 lead.
Libbok added a penalty before half-time, but the Sharks responded through Werner Kok, who finished a slick backline move to cut the deficit to 10-5 at the break.
STATE OF THE URC: Stormers steel for Sharks attack
The second half swung dramatically. Libbok and Curwin Bosch traded penalties before Corne Rahl powered over from a maul to give the Sharks a 15-13 lead, Bosch converting. That advantage was short-lived, though, as Libbok slotted a pressure kick to restore the Stormers’ lead.
Despite a late yellow card to Ali Vermaak and a frantic a frantic end to the match, the Stormers’ defence held firm to secure another hard-earned derby win.
Photo: Cole Cruickshank/Gallo Images
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