Stormers vs Bulls: Midfield collision awaits

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In anticipation of the first Vodacom United Rugby Championship north-south derby in Cape Town, DYLAN JACK previews the midfield clash between the Stormers and Vodacom Bulls on Saturday.

Rikus Pretorius vs Harold Vorster

While he has been used sparingly this season by the Stormers, making just five starts, Pretorius has hit a purple patch of form, dotting down against Cardiff in Cape Town in March. His latest start came against Ospreys – replacing the injured Warrick Gelant, with Damian Willemse shifting to fullback – and his impressive performance has led John Dobson to keep him in the starting lineup despite Springbok fullback Warrick Gelant’s return from injury.

However, Pretorius will have to stay on his toes against a far more seasoned campaigner in Vorster, who was previously been part of the Lions team that made three Super Rugby finals between 2016 and 2018. By way of contrast, Voster has 14 appearances this season for the Bulls, starting 13 of those. The 28-year-old currently ranks 23rd in the URC for carries (104).

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Ruhan Nel vs Lionel Mapoe

One of a handful of Springbok Sevens converts playing in the URC, Nel has grown into a real leader in the Stormers backline. Silky smooth with ball-in-hand, Nel has made 10 linebreaks this season, which puts him 10th in the URC overall. However, that should not overshadow his work on defence, as he is growing a reputation for putting in some massive tackles.

Having resurrected his career in the third division in France, Mapoe has been a valuable member of the Bulls squad since returning to Pretoria last year. The scrumcapped centre has formed a formidable partnership with former Lions teammate Voster, with the duo helping the Bulls defend the Currie Cup title in 2021. Mapoe currently ranks ninth in the URC for offloads (15), while his running lines off Voster in midfield is something the Stormers will have to watch out for.

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Dylan Jack