Bulls vs Stormers: Key moments from a muddy North vs South clash

The Bulls and Stormers delivered another thriller in tough conditions at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday to cap of their local derbies in the United Rugby Championship (URC).

After coming to Pretoria as heavy underdogs, the Cape side claimed a 19-16 win to revive their campaign. For the Bulls, a second home loss in three games means they have wasted the opportunity to climb the log.

Independent Newspapers looks at five key moments from the North vs South derby clash.

Weather-delayed for over an hour

The cloudburst and resulting thunderstorm turned Loftus into a mudbath and it took groundstaff and supporters to help mop up the pitch for the game to start.

Despite the delay in kick-off and the conditions not being the best, the two sides still went toe-to-toe and produced a brilliant match for the crowd that stayed behind.

It was the second time a North-South derby at Loftus had a weather delay, but still delivered a spectacle on the pitch.

Le Roux was the target for the first kick-off

The Stormers had a premeditated plan to target the Bulls' makeshift flyhalf Willie le Roux with the first kickoff. That plan brought the early fruits after they smashed him and won a turnover penalty.

They set the tone of their tackling and rucking for the rest of the game with that initial hit and counter-ruck.

The Stormers were first to score points from that penalty to get their game going.For the rest of the derby, they brought the physicality to the Bulls.

Canan Moodie injury and little contests on high

Of the three injuries that hit the Bulls, Moodie's one while contesting a high kick was probably the most costly. After he left the field, the Bulls struggled to put up any real contest under the high ball.

His airplay is brilliant and he would've been the Bulls' go-to guy under those high kicks they were peppered with off the boot of flyhalf Jurie Mathee, and scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer.

Although there were limited attacking chances due to the weather condition, he is a game-breaker when called on and was a major loss.

Stormers score off a high kick

It was the perfect play in a wet game like that. Off the back of a solid scrum, Matthee booted a perfect up and under to put Bulls winger Sebastian de Klerk under pressure.

Fullback Warrick Gelant contested in the air, De Klerk fumbled the catch, it fell to the feet of replacement scrumhalf Paul de Wet and he kicked it forward.

Centre Wandisile Simelane then displayed good soccer skills, kicking the ball over the try line to dot down. It was the perfect wet-weather setup to score the matchwinner.

Evan Roos breaks down the Bulls' breakdown

If there was one Stormers player who needed a good showing against the Bulls, it was Roos. And man did he stand up in those difficult conditions when his side needed him.

The eighth man was responsible for that first counter-ruck and the resulting penalty after Le Roux was targeted at kick-off.

He also won the final penalty at a ruck in the dying minutes to halt a Bulls attack that led to the game's end. Roos deservedly claimed Player of the Match for his efforts in Pretoria.