Standard-bearers Stormers aiming for double dream

While the Vodacom Bulls came in with the best Super Rugby and Currie Cup credentials of the four elite franchises that joined the inaugural BKT URC 2021/22 season, it's been the DHL Stormers who have set the standard.

Later today they aim to make it back-to-back titles and join Leinster as the only team to retain the title, having prevailed over the Bulls in last season's finale.

The Cape Town-based side finished second in the regular season standings in their first campaign, winning 12, drawing twice and losing four games.

They were on target to again finish behind Leinster this season until a surprise loss, their first defeat at home for 17 months, to Munster (26-24) in the penultimate round, scuppered their chances with Ulster pipping them to second place.

It meant they finished up with an identical league record for the second season running, winning 12, drawing two and losing four times.

Their overall record against Irish teams over the two seasons comes in at played 10, won five, lost four and drawn one, with Munster the only side they haven’t beaten.

This will be the third meeting of the teams with Munster winning both games, the first clash was in Thomond Park in October 2021 with the hosts running out 34-18 victors.

But it’s their play-off record that stands out and demonstrates a ruthlessness that Munster will have to overcome today if they want to get their hands on a first trophy since 2011’s Celtic League.

They beat Glasgow (28-17) and Ulster (17-15) in their run to the final last year where they overcame the Bulls (18-13).

Again this season they’ve had a home run to the decider with wins over the Bulls (33-21) and Connacht (43-25) paving the wave to today’s match-up.

"It’s nice to have that feeling of knowing that