Bulls know handling the emotion of the big derby is key to winning

Handle the nerves, handle the emotion. And the rest will follow.

The Vodacom Bulls know all too well how much emotion goes around the traditional north-south derby and this weekend’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship edition at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday is no different. The stakes are just as high and the emotion will run high too.

The tradition digs deep into it, both teams want the victory and need the points in their URC campaign and both are primed to win.

The Bulls are now on a four match winning streak - the only reason it is mentioned is that it follows a seven match losing streak. The turnaround came with three away wins and now the Bulls want to build on their big win over the Hollywoodbets Sharks last time out as they start to rebuild their URC campaign.

In the midst of this they have several stars back. Johan Grobbelaar is back and so to could Gerhard Steenekamp be in the side. Cameron Hanekom may not be there yet but new acquisitions earlier this season Jan Serfontein and Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg are available for selection again. In all - as Bulls president Willem Strauss put it - coach Johan Ackermann can select from 88 per cent of his squad - not bad for the latter part of the season.

But the Bulls know the Stormers are hurting after three straight losses and will be desperate for a win. They were the favourites when they beat the Bulls in an arm wrestle 13-8 at Cape Town Stadium in December and they did win the last fixture at Loftus between the two sides. In fact, in URC terms the Stormers have an exceptional record against the Bulls and haven’t lost many against them.

That’s why the thought of them arriving at Loftus Versfeld as underdogs doesn’t really add up. Despite their losses to the Sharks and Lions, the Stormers have personnel back, will have had two weeks to prepare and will relish playing at Loftus.

It all adds up to a humdinger, and one the Bulls will know they have to be their best at. Captain Marcell Coetzee knows that, and will want a big performance from his charges to give Marco van Staden something to celebrate on his 100th cap for the side.

“It’s always special playing against the Stormers,” Coetzee said this week. “There’s an immense traditional and cultural history between these sides, especially if you look at the legends from both teams who have gone on to represent the Springboks through the years.

“When both teams do well, it’s always an indication that Bok rugby is in a good place. With the respect we have for each other, it’s going to be massive.”

Coetzee knows all too well the emotions of the derby, the way the teams will tear into each other and knows clinical and calm will win the day.

"The match will bring the best out of both teams. On the day, one has to stay composed, handle the emotions, be clinical, and soak in the atmosphere.”

And he was quick to remind everyone this week about the Stormers’ good record at Loftus.

“If you look at history, they actually have a very good record here at Loftus,” Coetzee said. “There have been a couple of games where they’ve had our number, so we know it’s always a big challenge.

“It’s a massive clash and the guys are very excited for it. The Stormers have got danger all over the park – a lot of X-factor players who can create momentum and punish you if you’re not accurate.”

Accuracy is key. Emotions need to be tempered and when the strike chances come, they need to be taken.

Saturday will see another chapter of the remarkable battle between north and south play itself out once again. It will be no different to any of the other battles in that it will be fierce, intense and heated.

The team that keeps its emotions in check is likely to walk away with the win.