Overview
- The north–south clash kicks off at 18:00 SAST at DHL Stadium, which is sold out, with Griffin Colby appointed as referee.
- Damian Willemse returns from injury for his 100th Stormers start at inside centre, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at flyhalf alongside Cobus Reinach and a heavier pack featuring Ali Vermaak and JD Schickerling.
- Ruan Nortje resumes the Bulls captaincy, Marco van Staden starts at openside, Canan Moodie shifts to outside centre, and Paul de Wet starts at scrumhalf, with Handré Pollard and Willie le Roux retained.
- The Stormers top the URC with an unbeaten record, while the Bulls sit 12th seeking to halt a multi-game losing run in a fixture framed as pivotal to South African playoff positioning.
- Round 9 also features Sharks vs Lions in Durban at 15:30 and the Ulster–Munster interpro, with Munster making 10 changes and Ulster welcoming back Iain Henderson to captain.