Crunch derby: Kruger hopes Bulls forwards can manage the red mist against Stormers

As much as Bulls scrum coach Werner Kruger is in awe of the Stormers' scrum, he also hopes his charges will be able to channel their emotions effectively at set-piece time for Saturday's North/South derby at Loftus Versfeld.

Kruger, a battle-hardened veteran of North/South derbies in his glittering career with the franchise, said last week's Six Nations thriller between Ireland and France in Dublin was the perfect illustration of how forwards need to keep cool heads in key games.

France had their prop, Uini Atonio, yellow-carded for a dangerous tackle which hobbled the French pack in a game they ended up losing 32-19, snapping their 14-match unbeaten streak.

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Kruger admitted the Stormers, who will be shorn of their Boks this weekend, still have a fearsome pack brimming with confidence after dismantling the Sharks.

"They've got confidence in their scrum and they back their scrum. One mustn't forget that a scrum is a unit and when it functions well, things roll with that momentum," Kruger said.

"As a forward unit and as a team, they've been going very well this season. There's a fine line between balancing aggression and getting the accuracy right.

"You have to look at France's prop getting a red [yellow] card, so there's a fine line in coming with loads of aggression, while also getting it right with execution."

Kruger has also been concerned about his pack's variable consistency, ranging between excelling in some games and falling foul in others.

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The Stormers have won their last three United Rugby Championship encounters against the