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CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - DECEMBER 30: Lukhanyo Am of the Sharks during the United Rugby Championship match between DHL Stormers and Hollywoodbets Sharks at DHL Stadium on December 30, 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa.

State of the URC: Red-hot SA derbies ring in 2024

Following last week’s pulsating coastal derby, the Sharks and Lions are set to kick off the new year with a bang on Saturday. @Vodacom #URC

Wandisile Simelane and Chris Smit of Bulls during the 2023 Currie Cup match between Sharks and Bulls at Kings Park in Durban on 14 April 2023 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Bulls star linked with Stormers switch

The Stormers reportedly have hashed out an exchange deal to boost their options in midfield with a move for a versatile backline talent from the @Vodacom Bulls.

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 18: Handre Pollard of Leicester Tigers kicks a penalty during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Leicester Tigers and Northampton Saints at Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium on November 18, 2023 in Leicester, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Saffas Abroad: Pollard on song to sink Bath

Handre Pollard kicked eight points as Leicester Tigers took advantage of Johann van Graan’s understrength Bath, while Dillyn Leyds scored in La Rochelle’s rout of Toulouse.

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - NOVEMBER 21: Eben Etzebeth of the Hollywoodbets Sharks during the Hollywoodbets Sharks training session at Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium on November 21, 2023 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images)

Plum: You can’t buy success

John Plumtree believes the route back to the top for the Sharks is through player development and smart recruitment to help cope with the Boks’ “compulsory rest period” in 2024.

Dobson hails Stormers’ fight

John Dobson was delighted with the Stormers’ resilience in closing out the year on a three-win streak, capped off with a gritty victory against the Sharks.

Stormers’ win against stubborn Sharks points to a strong 2024

The Stormers held out to claim a tense coastal derby victory over the Sharks in Cape Town and end 2023 with a third win in a row. @Vodacom #URC

Coastal derby triumph ‘non-negotiable’ for Stormers

John Dobson says the DHL Stormers are locked and loaded for one final push of the year in the Vodacom URC derby against the Sharks on Saturday. @Vodacom #URC

Scarra reaches Stormers century

Scarra Ntubeni will start in his 100th appearance for the DHL Stormers in the clash against the Sharks in Cape Town on Saturday. @Vodacom #URC

Grant Williams of the Sharks attempts to get past Seabelo Senatla of Stormers during the United Rugby Championship 2022/23 match between Stormers and Sharks held at Cape Town Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa on 04 March 2023 ©Shaun Roy/BackpagePix

Stormers wary of Sharks’ bite

Assistant coach Norman Laker has cautioned the Stormers against underestimating the Sharks when the coastal teams clash in Cape Town on Saturday. @Vodacom #URC

South Africa's wing Kurt-Lee Arendse (C) scores a try as Australia's wing Suliasi Vunivalu (R) tackles him during the Rugby Championship first round match between South Africa and Australia at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria on July 8, 2023. (Photo by PHILL MAGAKOE / AFP)

Best of 2023: Arendse soars to success

Kurt-Lee Arendse shot the lights out for the Springboks and Vodacom Bulls in 2023, and capped off a sensational year by helping South Africa win a record fourth World Cup title.