Replacement prop Ntuthuko Mchunu scored a 79th-minute try as the Stormers edged the Vodacom Bulls at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
In the build-up, Damian Willemse said a north-south derby comes close to Test-match intensity. And that proved to be the case in front of a 53,600 capacity crowd as a gripping, tight contest was won 13-8 by the hosts.
Bulls flyhalf Handre Pollard had levelled the scores at 8-8 with a penalty goal early in the second half but missed his next two attempts. That proved costly as Mchunu was driven over from a lineout maul to extend the Stormers’ winning start to the Vodacom URC season to eight. For the Bulls, it was a sixth consecutive loss across competitions.
ACKERS: It hurts to lose like this
A frenetic opening period saw returning Springboks Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Willemse show good touches for the Stormers, while the Bulls signalled their intent by twice turning down a shot at goal for Pollard. First, the visitors kicked for touch, then they took a tap. On both occasions, the Stormers’ defence stood firm.
Man of the Match Embrose Papier, who started at nine for the Bulls after Paul de Wet was ruled out with a calf injury, then thought he’d scored the first try after chasing down his kick. But TV replays showed his leg going dead just before the ball was grounded.
Rugby is a game of fine margins 🤏
Do you think he got the ball down in time?
Stream #VURC on DStv: https://t.co/0P0NNhnwKw pic.twitter.com/G6bGTbwv7V
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) January 3, 2026
As expected, the battle up front was fiercely fought, but the first scrum penalty came only on the half-hour mark when Bulls tighthead Wilco Louw got the better of Mchunu, who had replaced Ali Vermaak. The Bulls again kicked for touch and this time made it count, with Pollard crossing shortly after, although he was unable to convert.
A scrum penalty against Bulls loosehead Gerhard Steenekamp allowed Feinberg-Mngomezulu to get the Stormers on the board.
Bulls centre Canan Moodie left the field with a concussion and fullback Willie le Roux was yellow-carded for a cynical offside infringement. A string of penalties followed before a third lineout maul resulted in No 8 Evan Roos’ sixth try of the URC season. The conversion went wide, with the hosts taking an 8-5 lead into the break.
Pollard levelled the scores with a penalty early in the second half, just before Le Roux returned to the field, but was then off-target twice. Feinberg-Mngomezulu then failed to find touch from a penalty for the second time.
Both sides were also guilty of handling errors in good attacking positions as the scrappy nature of the match continued.
Late in the game, the Stormers twice opted to kick a scrum penalty to touch rather than at goal. The first time, they lost possession from the lineout. The second time, Mchunu went over to snatch victory.
Both sides now turn their attention back to the Investec Champions Cup, with the Bulls hosting Bristol and the Stormers travelling to London to face Harlequins.
STORMERS – Tries: Evan Roos, Ntuthuko Mchunu. Penalty: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
BULLS – Try: Handre Pollard. Penalty: Pollard.
Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images
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