Stormers and Bulls hit Europe with derby momentum

The Stormers and Bulls could hardly have asked for better preparation before the opening round of the Investec Champions Cup.

Both South African heavyweights head into Europe on a high after emphatic derby wins, with the Stormers beating the Sharks 39-22 at DHL Stadium and the Bulls dismantling the Lions at Loftus.

For Keo, the Cape Town occasion was everything South African rugby should be selling. A 16:00 kickoff, 42,000 supporters at DHL Stadium, the Men in Black revival and a quality Stormers performance combined to create the perfect lead-in to Champions Cup week.

The Stormers were switched on from the start. Keo said you can often judge a derby in the opening collisions, and when the defence starts carrying attackers backwards, you know a team has come to play.

The stats told the story. The Stormers dominated offloads, defenders beaten, clean breaks, visits to the opposition 22 and dominant tackles. Crucially for Zels, they also kicked more metres than the Sharks and still won comfortably.

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu was central to the performance. Zels praised his maturity, his kicking options and his game management, saying he is taking strides forward every week. Keo added that Sacha will have games that are seven out of 10 and others that are nine out of 10, but the talent is undeniable.

Damian Willemse was also outstanding, while the Stormers fixed the lineout issues that hurt them against Edinburgh. After dropping to 57% the week before, they were back around 93%, and did it against one of the best defensive lineout teams from last season, the Sharks.

The scrum and collisions also stood out, with Wilco Louw and André Smith’s double hit on Ox Nché becoming Keo’s STECO hybrid moment. It was a massive physical statement, but also one played in the right spirit, with Keo noting that this derby had intensity without the nastiness of last season.

Up north, the Bulls were just as impressive. Zels had backed them to beat the Lions, but not by the margin they did. He described it as Ackers rugby through and through: ball in hand, line breaks, wide threats and ruthless finishing.

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The Lions tried to disrupt the Bulls at the breakdown, but when that did not work, the Bulls found space and punished them. Cheswill Jooste and Sebastian de Klerk were electric, while Zels again highlighted the importance of Curwin Bosch’s arrival and his ability to manage territory and flip the field.

For the Bulls, it was the perfect response before hosting Stade Français.

For the Stormers, it was a statement before Bristol Bears arrive in Cape Town.

For South African rugby, it was a reminder that the Investec Champions Cup challenge starts with momentum, confidence and picking your best.