The game played in front of a capacity DHL Newlands lived up to it’s billing. It was a brutal local derby, tightly contested and edged by the still unbeaten and top of the log DHLStormers.

Coach Coetzee declared himself very happy with the performance citing “a 22 man group effort. The players fronted up as a squad, matched the Bulls physicality and closed out the game when required. We set ourselves goals for the first phase of the competition and we are very happy with 5 from 5 and top of the log at the moment. This 1st phase was about character building and laying a solid foundation and I think we have made strides there. That said though we have achieved nothing yet and we will continue to keep looking to build on each performance. We haven’t hit our straps yet.”

Scorers:

DHL Stormers: Try: Liebenberg, Pen: Pietersen 4, Grant

Vodacom Bulls: Tries: Basson, Olivier, Convs: Steyn 2, Pen: Steyn

The DHLStormers now begin phase two of their campaign, the away leg with tough tour games against the Highlanders, Crusaders, Reds and Force. “It’s a hell of a tough tour but we are looking forward to the challenge” added the coach.

The squad to tour is:

DHL STORMERS TOURING SQUAD

Management:

Head Coach: Allister Coetzee
Assistant Coach: Mathew Proudfoot
Assistant Coach: Robbie Fleck
Team Manager: Chippie Solomon
Defence Coach: Jacques Nienaber
Fitness & Conditioning Coach: Greg Hechter
Fitness & Conditioning Coach: Stephan du Toit
Team Doctor: Dr. Arthur Williams
Physiotherapist: Wayne Hector
Technical Analyst: Human Kriek
Masseur: Greg Daniels

Squad:

Steven Kitshoff
Tiaan Liebenberg
Brok Harris
Eben Etzebeth
Andries Bekker
Siya Kolisi
Duane Vermeulen
Nick Koster
Dewaldt Duvenage
Burton Francis
Gio Aplon
Jean de Villiers
Bryan Habana
Gerhard van den Heever
Joe Pietersen
Siyabonga Ntubeni
Frans Malherbe
De Kock Steenkamp
Nizaam Carr
Louis Schreuder
JP du Plessis
Rynhardt Elstadt
Juan de Jongh
Peter Grant
Deon Fourie
Deon Carstens