The Stormers were blown away by the Bulls 40-3 in their Super Rugby campaign opener at Loftus on Saturday.
Coming into the north-south derby, the Cape side were confident, having beaten their hosts in their pre-season SuperHero Sunday clash in the Mother City two weeks ago.
But this was the real thing and without their Marvel avatar "Thor" kit, coach Robbie Fleck’s looked like anything but gods or heroes.
When the dust settled, the Bulls had won by four tries to nil.
The Bulls made a dream start to this encounter when sevens star Rosko Specman did a woelige sidestep to ghost through the Stormers defence for a scintillating try within the opening minutes.
DREAM DEBUT: Rosko. Photo: MUZI NTOMBELA/BACKPAGEPIX
Fleck’s manne had sukkeled with their lineout in their warm-up games and once again Bongi Mbonambi failed to find his jumpers.
Then the Bulls’ discipline let them down as well, allowing the visitors to knock over a penalty through SP Marais - it proved to be the visitors’ only score.
The Bulls found their rhythm again and Warrick Gelant sent Specman through a gap before his momentum took him over the try line as Jano Vermaak tried desperately to stop him.
It was some statement from the former Blitzboks playmaker, who was making his Super Rugby debut with some Spec magic.
The home side was turning it on in a big way, this time some wonderful interplay allowing Johnny Kotze to dart away for the third try within the opening 25 minutes.
SCORED: Jesse Kriel. Photo: MUZI NTOMBELA/BACKPAGEPIX
It sent the Bulls into a commanding 21-3 lead.
To make matters worse for the Stormers, captain Siya Kolisi was forced from the field with a head injury.
The Cape-based side would have one final attacking opportunity, but another lost line-out rather aptly summed up half that they would rather forget.
The Bulls continued their rampant form when a lovely chip from Handre Pollard set up a try for Jesse Kriel, and from there, it was always going to be impossible for the Stormers to overturn a 25-point deficit.
RAMPHANT: Schalk Brits runs at the Stormers defence. Photo: MUZI NTOMBELA/BACKPAGEPIX
The home side simply continued to pile on the punishment as it was, with Pollard slotting four penalties in a flawless kicking performance to push the score out to a humiliating 40-3.