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Saturday Loftus Derby Set to Recast URC Race for Bulls and Stormers

The result will shape playoff seeding and the SA Shield picture.

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 01: Stedman Gans of the Vodacom Blue Bulls tackles Warrick Gelant of the DHL Stormers during the United Rugby Championship match between Vodacom Bulls and DHL Stormers at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on March 01, 2025 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Gordon Arons/Gallo Images)
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - FEBRUARY 28: Embrose Papier of the Bulls scores a try during the United Rugby Championship match between Vodacom Bulls and Hollywoodbets Sharks at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on February 28, 2026 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Anton Geyser/Gallo Images)
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - FEBRUARY 28: Marcell Coetzee of the Bulls during the United Rugby Championship match between Vodacom Bulls and Hollywoodbets Sharks at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on February 28, 2026 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Anton Geyser/Gallo Images)
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - FEBRUARY 24: Deon Fourie and Ruhan Nel during the DHL Stormers training session at High Performance Centre on February 24, 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)

Overview

  • The rescheduled round-eight clash at Loftus Versfeld is the URC’s only game this weekend, giving both rivals a valuable game in hand.
  • The Bulls arrive on a three-match URC winning run, including emphatic wins over the Lions (52-17) and Sharks (41-12), to strengthen their playoff push.
  • The Stormers have dropped three in a row and fallen to fifth, but coach John Dobson confirmed Deon Fourie, Dan du Plessis and Ruhan Nel are available, with Seabelo Senatla a possible addition.
  • SA Shield stakes add pressure: the Lions have already clinched the title, the Stormers are locked into their worst Shield finish, and the Bulls can still avoid the same fate.
  • Loftus history favors the visitors in URC play with three wins from four, a trend Bulls captain Marcell Coetzee flagged as he cautioned against underestimating the Stormers.