The DHL Stormers will face the Vodacom Bulls in a highly anticipated United Rugby Championship (URC) clash at a sold-out DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday, 3 January 2026 at 18:00 (SA Time).
A capacity crowd will pack the stands at DHL Stadium as Willemse makes his 100th start in a DHL Stormers jersey in the first match of 2026.
This North-South derby is expected to be an intense encounter, with both teams targeting a win up front, with a six-two split on the bench, to supply their dangerous backs with enough quality attacking ball. However, a fascinating fly-half battle between the Stormers' Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and the Bulls' Handré Pollard, both Springboks, could be the difference at the end.
Form heavily favours the Stormers with home advantage and momentum, but derbies are unpredictable; the Bulls have the talent to upset if their forwards fire and Pollard controls the kicking game. Most previews tip a Stormers win by 5-10 points, but expect a hard-fought battle with pride and bragging rights on the line.
The DHL Stormers have been boosted by the return from injury of Springbok stars Damian Willemse and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. Willemse will be joined in midfield by Wandisile Simelane, outside Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who links up with fellow Springbok Cobus Reinach at halfback. The only other change to the backline sees Suleiman Hartzenberg come into the starting line-up on the right wing, having featured off the replacements bench in the win against the Lions.
In the forward pack, Ali Vermaak starts at loosehead prop, while there is also a switch in the second row as JD Schickerling joins captain Salmaan Moerat at lock.
The only change to the loose trio sees Ruan Ackermann start at openside flank as Paul de Villiers joins Adré Smith, Ruben van Heerden, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Sazi Sandi and Lukhanyo Vokozela in the group of forwards that will finish the game.
Bulls head coach Johan Ackermann has made several adjustments from the side that faced the Sharks two weeks ago, with a mix of tactical changes and fresh energy injected into the lineup.
Ruan Nortje returns to lead the side, taking over the armband from Elrigh Louw, who captained against the Sharks. In the back row, Marco van Staden comes into the starting XV, while Jeandre Rudolph shifts to accommodate the reshuffle.
Among the backs, Canan Moodie slots in at centre, with Harold Vorster dropping out. And Embrose Papier moves to the bench, with ex-Stormers player Paul de Wet starting at scrumhalf.
The Vodacom Bulls retain a strong spine with Handré Pollard at flyhalf, Willie le Roux at fullback, and David Kriel in midfield. The front row of Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar, and Wilco Louw remains unchanged, providing stability up front.
Ackermann’s selections underline a balance between consistency and tactical tweaks, with Nortje’s leadership and Moodie’s pace expected to add fresh impetus against a Stormers side renowned for their physicality.
Ackermann emphasised the importance of clarity and energy heading into the derby: “We’ve assessed the Sharks game and made adjustments where needed. Ruan’s leadership is vital, and bringing in players like Canan Moodie and Marco van Staden gives us the right balance for this contest. It’s about alignment and intensity as we start the year.”
Teams:
DHL Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Ruan Ackermann, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Salmaan Moerat (c), 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Ali Vermaak. Replacements: 16 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Adré Smith, 20 Ruben van Heerden, 21 Paul de Villiers, 22 Stefan Ungerer, 23 Jurie Matthee.
Vodacom Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 David Kriel, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje (c), 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp. Replacements: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Khuta Mchunu, 19 Ruan Vermaak, 20 Reinhardt Ludwig, 21 Nizaam Carr, 22 Embrose Papier, 23 Devon Williams.