Stormers boss John Dobson: "This is why we win World Cups"

The Stormers hosted the Bulls in a United Rugby Championship classic that will be remembered for its Test match-like atmosphere this past Saturday. A heaving Cape Town crowd of over 53 000 watched the two heavyweights bash each other all over the park in a physical contest where every facet of the game was highly contested.

The match looked headed for a low-scoring draw, but a late maul try saw the hosts grind out an attritional 13-8 victory and keep their undefeated season alive.

Iron sharpens iron, and this arm-wrestle of a derby was a testament to the Springboks' physical approach to the game.

"It was a tough SA derby," Dobson told the press after the bruising affair.

"What was amazing was the contest, everywhere. This is what makes the South African game so great at the moment and why we win World Cups. We are so used to it [this level of intensity].

"There's a contest at the line-outs and mauls, the breakdown [was] a massive contest, which is really good for the South African game.

"I would have liked a bit more flow, but that is the product of the pressure being put down everywhere in this contest. You could hear the thuds in the coaches' box."

The Stormers now switch their focus to Champions Cup duty, where they face a difficult trip to Harlequins in England next Sunday before returning to host Leicester in Cape Town the following week.