DERBIES always add extra spark when Super Rugby sides meet, and none grab the fans' attention more than South Africa's North versus South encounters.
Tomorrow at Loftus Versfeld the Bulls take on the Stormers in one of the most intense rivalries.
However, Bulls veteran Victor Matfield played down any suggestion of added spark on the field when the two sides meet.
"A lot of these local derbies are more about the fans to have a go at each other. For the players, we want to win this competition, so every week is huge and we need to be up [at our best] every week," said Matfield.
"We can't be up for it more for the Stormers than for the Crusaders, then we will get a hiding from the Crusaders."
With the Stormers still fighting to avoid the wooden spoon and the Bulls adamant that they are still in with a sniff of a Super 15 play-off spot, the battle at Loftus tomorrow won't lose any lustre.
An injury crisis is adding to Stormers woes, but their one-point win over the Highlanders last weekend was a confidence boost, and Bulls coach Frans Ludeke expects the match to be played at the usual high tempo.
"We are still in the race; we want to keep it that way. They are a quality side, still with a lot of quality international players there," Ludeke said. "There may be small adjustments. As we saw last week, they now kick a bit less and look positive with the ball in hand."
North vs South rivalry renewed
DERBIES always add extra spark when Super Rugby sides meet, and none grab the fans' attention more than South Africa's North versus South encounters.
Tomorrow at Loftus Versfeld the Bulls take on the Stormers in one of the most intense rivalries.
However, Bulls veteran Victor Matfield played down any suggestion of added spark on the field when the two sides meet.
"A lot of these local derbies are more about the fans to have a go at each other. For the players, we want to win this competition, so every week is huge and we need to be up [at our best] every week," said Matfield.
"We can't be up for it more for the Stormers than for the Crusaders, then we will get a hiding from the Crusaders."
With the Stormers still fighting to avoid the wooden spoon and the Bulls adamant that they are still in with a sniff of a Super 15 play-off spot, the battle at Loftus tomorrow won't lose any lustre.
An injury crisis is adding to Stormers woes, but their one-point win over the Highlanders last weekend was a confidence boost, and Bulls coach Frans Ludeke expects the match to be played at the usual high tempo.
"We are still in the race; we want to keep it that way. They are a quality side, still with a lot of quality international players there," Ludeke said. "There may be small adjustments. As we saw last week, they now kick a bit less and look positive with the ball in hand."
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