The Stormers and Bulls will clash in a crucial Round 12 Super Rugby match with both sides needing to start winning consistently if they hope to qualify for the finals. Join The Roar for live scores from 11:05pm (AEST).
It’s been an up and down season for both of these South African outfits, with the pressure starting to mount as the end of the season draws nearer.
The Stormers, while not consistent, have been fantastic at home and will look to use the obvious advantage playing at Newlands hands them to move away from the Bulls on the ladder here.
They are yet to lose at their fortress in four games, getting wins over the Jaguares, Blues, Reds and Rebels. While not all of them have been convincing, they are yet to win on the road and so with four of their final six at Newlands, they will hope to go on a run of form to the end of the season and scrape into the finals.
The win over the Rebels was their last start, yielding a 34-18 victory. They dominated the game on the outset and looked a completely different team from the one who played the previous two games, when they suffered losses Sharks and Lions, with a worrying 52 points ran up by the latter.
The Bulls haven’t been a great deal better this season, sitting with four wins from their nine games.
They were going along awfully during their first five, only getting a single win, but after picking up three of their last four, which included a road win over the Sharks and their only loss a one-point nailbiter last week to the Highlanders, form is solid.
The biggest noticeable difference for the Bulls has been their defence. While they let in 29 points last week, the previous matches against the Rebels and Sharks only let in ten a piece, with the Bulls effort at that end of the park increased greatly. It’s allowed them to control matches and attack with freedom, something they struggled to do during the first month and a half of the season.
Prediction
The Stormers form is so strong at home and they are just impossible to tip against for this one, even if the Bulls appear to be improving with every passing week.
Stormers by 7.
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