The Bulls have the stronger team on paper, but the Stormers have that fighting spirit that has taken them over the line in seven out of the last eight contests against their great Pretoria rivals.
So, who will rule Cape Town Stadium in Saturday’s blockbuster United Rugby Championship showdown (2pm kick-off)?
Well, Bulls coach Jake White stated on Friday that for his team, it’s all about pouncing on attack.
“It’s going to be one of those great games, and it depends on who plays the best and who takes their chances,” he said.
“As I always say at the end of every one of these fixtures, there are going to be opportunities for both teams, and the one who takes the best and manages the others will be the ones who comes out on top.”
Here are five key Bulls who must lead the stampede against the Stormers...
Jan-Hendrik Wessels
It was a big statement by Jake White on Friday to back Wessels at loosehead prop ahead of seasoned Springbok front-ranker Gerhard Steenekamp – especially as the Stormers have picked Bok stalwart Frans Malherbe at No 3.
But White pointed out that Wessels has played Test rugby alongside hooker Johan Grobbelaar against Australia, and that he was confident that the 23-year-old from Bloemfontein can handle the pressure against the Stormers.
Malherbe, though, is not just any Aussie tighthead, and may have a point to prove as well after a series of injuries sidelined him last year.
Wessels is an aggressive ball-carrier at close quarters, and his agility, handling and physicality is what sets him apart from other front-rowers.
So, he will be a factor on attack and will hit those rucks, but he needs to stand strong in the scrums to provide the necessary platform for the backs.
Cobus Wiese
Having arrived at Loftus Versfeld from the Sale Sharks as more of a blindside flank, the fact that Wiese has been retained at No 4 lock for the Stormers encounter is a deserved reward for some impressive displays this season.
The younger brother of Springbok No 8 Jasper, Cobus Wiese is pushing for higher honours too in 2025, and producing another eye-catching display on Saturday would mark another right tick in Rassie Erasmus’ book.
White could easily have opted for the more established No 4 lock in Ruan Vermaak – especially in the absence of captain and lineout king Ruan Nortjé – but Wiese’s mobility as a retreaded loose forward will aid the Bulls’ high-tempo attack.
His duel with Salmaan Moerat will be one to savour, as the Stormers captain and No 4 will look to continue his upward curve after all his injury woes to hold onto his Bok berth too.
Cameron Hanekom
Star Bulls No 8 Hanekom’s head-to-head showdown with Stormers counterpart Evan Roos is probably the most eagerly-anticipated clash of the match.
White mentioned on Friday that both men are Paarl Boys’ High old boys, which will add even more spice to what is expected to be a thrilling battle between two outstanding loose forwards.
There is no doubt that Hanekom has the edge this season after a number of terrific displays. He is fearless as a ball-carrier, with his speed across the ground allowing him to make an equal impact out wide as he does in the tight loose.
But Roos is a more direct runner, and will look to barge his way through Hanekom whenever possible.
Hanekom, though – who hails from Ceres – has all the attributes to stand tall in his home province.
Willie le Roux
While it was an understandable decision from White to stick with Le Roux at flyhalf after he dazzled in the second half against the Lions, it is still a risky call.
It is very different starting at No 10 as opposed to coming on as a replacement and trying to change the game.
Le Roux will have to set the tone for the Bulls on attack, whether that’s through finding space out wide with those long passes and using his boot to win territory.
Stormers flyhalf Jurie Matthee is a traditional kicking pivot, and is more accustomed to managing the game than Le Roux would be.
But the ‘Strand Hond’ wasn’t called ‘Quade Cooper’ in his Boland days as a flyhalf for nothing...
Canan Moodie
It is incredible to think that Moodie turned just 22 last November, and now he will earn his 50th Bulls cap against the Stormers.
But it has been a testing time for the Paarl star since his birthday, as he hardly saw any action for the Boks on tour, and spent nine weeks in Europe in total – including Bulls trips.
That led to White’s infamous “buffet” comment, and Moodie has been playing off the bench in recent times.
But the Stormers clash offers him an ideal opportunity to showcase his undoubted ability as a strike-runner out wide, and also his prowess in contesting the high ball on attack and defence.
White mentioned that Moodie made his debut for the Bulls against the Stormers at the Cape Town Stadium.
Now it’s almost a full-circle moment for the 2023 World Cup winner, and the 12-Test Bok will have a chance to strut his stuff in front of family and friends.
Bulls Team
15 Devon Williams 14 Canan Moodie 13 David Kriel 12 Harold Vorster 11 Sergeal Petersen 10 Willie le Roux 9 Embrose Papier 8 Cameron Hanekom 7 Reinhardt Ludwig 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain) 5 JF van Heerden 4 Cobus Wiese 3 Wilco Louw 2 Johan Grobbelaar 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels.
Bench: 16 Akker van der Merwe 17 Gerhard Steenekamp 18 Francois Klopper 19 Ruan Vermaak 20 Nizaam Carr 21 Zak Burger 22 Boeta Chamberlain 23 Sebastian de Klerk.