The Stormers are counting on home advantage when they play the Bulls in a North versus South Super Rugby clash at Newlands on Saturday.
Stormers Captain, Siya Kolisi, will play his 100th game for the Stormers against the old enemy.
Last weekend was a good one for the Stormers not only did the Cape team beat the Rebels the Lions and the Bulls both suffered defeats.
The Stormers have chosen a strong bench to close out the game. Frans Malherbe and Jean Luc Du Plessis return after long injury lay- offs.
Also on the bench are Nizaam Carr and Seabelo Senatla. Kolisi who has been a Newlands favourite for some time, will reach an amazing milestone. “ It’s a massive milestone, Siya has been part of the Stormers family for some time obviously immensely proud of what he has achieved both on and off the field, I’m super happy for him and it’s going to be a special occasion for him and his family for me and the players as well,” says Stormers Coach Robbie Fleck.
Kolisi says, “I’m thankful to my team mates all the guys I played with in the beginning, the Andries, the Schalks, the Jeans and the Bryans – those guys took us in the environment that is why guys never really leave here.”
The Bulls beat the Stormers earlier in the year in Pretoria, but although it has been a tough season for the Stormers, they are unbeaten at home this year and the Bulls have found it difficult at Newlands in the recent past. “We are starting to find our feet again; they are a much improved outfit and we are looking forward to the challenge of playing them at home,” says Fleck.
It is an old rivalry that still counts for a lot in the modern game and a crucial match for both teams if they still harbour any play-off ambitions.
