Stormers sizzle at electric Cape Town Stadium, down Bulls to book home URC semi-final

The Stormers are one win away from competing in back-to-back United Rugby Championship (URC) finals after they beat Bulls 33-21 in front of 44 000 spectators in a riveting North/South derby at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday. 

The defending champions will now host Irish side Connacht in next weekend's semi-final, continuing a superb run of form that has now included six straight URC wins over the Bulls. 

This was the largest crowd ever seen in South Africa for a URC game, and while tensions were high for much of a contest in which referee Jaco Peyper commanded attention throughout, the Bulls can have no complaints at losing to a side that was simply better on the day. 

The Bulls showed immense fight to stay in the match even when they were being outplayed, but it was the Stormers who had more incisive capability with the ball and they ultimately got enough reward. 

The hosts had a 17-7 lead at half-time and the sides scored three tries each. 

Manie Libbok was superb for the Stormers, sparking everything, while he was also flawless off the kicking tee with three conversions and four penalties. It was an incredibly mature and skillful performance from the 25-year-old flyhalf, who has surely taken another significant step towards Springbok 2023 World Cup selection. 

There was a clear big-match feel about this one and in the hours leading up to kick-off, jovial fans streamed through the gates. This, after all, is South African rugby's premier derby that has provided some hugely entertaining contests in recent years. 

Few have meant more than this one. 

Friday night's shock result that saw Connacht down Ulster in the first URC quarter-final raised the stakes, with both sides knowing that victory on Saturday would give them a home