It’s payback time when Western Province host the Blue Bulls in their Currie Cup opener at Newlands on Saturday.
WP lock Salmaan Moerat and his teammates have not forgotten the humiliation they, as the Stormers,
suffered at the hands of Super Rugby Unlocked champions the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld last month.
The Capetonians were steamrolled by coach Jake White’s men, trailing 39-6 before lightning stopped play in the 63rd minute.
Coach John Dobson’s manne were embarrassed after that defeat and immediately worked on flaws in their game to bounce back with two wins in their last two outings.
But they still have one outstanding rekening and Moerat wants them to settle that at Newlands on Saturday.
The lock explains: “It’s really tough accepting a loss like that. But I remember clearly after that game, one of the things we mentioned was just that we are playing them again in four weeks. And here we are, in this week. It’s an exciting prospect. It’s something we are really looking forward to – you don’t always get this opportunity.”
Unless the two teams clash again at Newlands in the playoffs in January, this will be the last ever north-south derby at the ground.
Of the occasion, Moerat adds: “The derby is always special and it makes it a lot more special being at Newlands, despite there not being fans…
“There are a few things that we’d like to rectify – that makes it an even better occasion on Saturday.”