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2025/2026 United Rugby Championship
Round 8
Vodacom Bulls vs DHL Stormers
Loftus Versfeld
Pretoria, South Africa
Saturday, 14 March 2026
Kick-off is at 14h00
Vodacom Bulls will host the DHL Stormers in a highly anticipated United Rugby Championship North-South derby at Loftus Versfeld on 14 March.
Current Form
The Bulls claimed a 41-12 home win over the Sharks in the United Rugby Championship on 28 February, extending their unbeaten run to four matches.
The win over the Sharks also ended the Bulls' three-match winless run at home, having recorded three consecutive defeats at Loftus Versfeld.
Meanwhile, the Stormers suffered a 24-10 defeat to the Golden Lions away in the United Rugby Championship match on 28 February, stretching their winless run to three games.
The Stormers are also winless in their last three away games, having registered three consecutive defeats on the road.
Team News
The Bulls have confirmed that versatile loose forward Hanro Liebenberg will be returning to rugby union, joining the team ahead of the 2026/27 season.
The Stormers, on the other hand, will be without long-term absences, including Ruan Ackermann (neck, out 4-6 months), Ali Vermaak (ankle), Dan du Plessis, and several forwards recovering from surgeries.
Quotes
“Bringing a player of Hanro’s calibre back to Loftus is a special moment for this union. He isn’t just a world-class loose forward; he is a man who understands the DNA of the Vodacom Bulls," Edgar Rathbone, CEO of the Blue Bulls Company, said about Hanro Liebenberg.
"During his seven years in England, we watched him grow into a formidable leader and a champion, and to have him choose to return home to finish his career in Pretoria speaks volumes about the culture we are building here. We’ve remained in close contact with Hanro and his family over the years, and we are thrilled to welcome him, Danielle, and Lucah back to the Vodacom Bulls family.”
Head-to-Head
The rivalry remains fierce, with recent encounters often tight.
In their most recent meeting on 3 January 2026 at DHL Stadium, the Stormers edged the Bulls 13-8 in a low-scoring affair.
Historically, in the URC era, matches between these two are competitive, often decided by fine margins, with home advantage playing a significant role.
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