Overview
- SA Rugby confirmed Bok assistants Felix Jones and Jerry Flannery, Mobi-Unit coach Duane Vermeulen and performance lead Andy Edwards will provide short-term technical support to the Bulls after a club request.
- Bulls head coach Johan Ackermann said Springbok coaches will not be in camp this week, calling reports of derby‑week involvement unfounded and stressing the help sought is advisory and rotational.
- Stormers defence coach Norman Laker expressed surprise at the timing, noting national coaches typically avoid assisting franchises in weeks featuring local derbies.
- The Stormers remain unbeaten at the top of the URC and prepare to host the north–south derby while monitoring backline injuries, with Damian Willemse and Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu still in doubt and multiple centres sidelined.
- The Bulls enter on a five‑match losing run after axing assistants Andries Bekker and Chris Rossouw, with Neil de Bruin brought in to lead the backs and Ackermann taking charge of the forwards.