VIDEO: The Loftus factor as North-South derby draws nearer

SPOTLIGHT: The Bulls will rely heavily on their home-ground advantage when they take on the Stormers at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

The Bulls have been hard at work in their effort to fill Loftus Versfled to its 50,000 capacity for the South African derby against arch-rival the Stormers.

The franchise revealed on Monday that 30,000 tickets have already been sold for the crunch match.

*Article continues below…

Speaking to reporters, Bulls loose forward Nizaam Carr said the crowd will play a vital role as they look to end their seven-match losing streak against the Stormers.

The Bulls are third on the URC standings, with 35 points from seven wins in 10 games, while the Stormers are sixth with 30 points.

The last time the two teams met, the Stormers recorded a 26-20 win over the Bulls at Cape Town Stadium.

“Every time we play them [the Stormers]  it is close. I can’t say it is luck because they have beaten us seven times,” Carr said.

“However, sometimes I feel it’s the bounce of the ball, where the momentum is shifting every single time

“The crowd also plays a big role and hopefully with us being at home, it will work in our favour.

“To see everybody out in their Bulls shirts is massive and it will definitely be an extra boost for us.

“To have your family in the stands cheering for us is very important, it is sort of another upper hand over them on the day.

“When we score points, kick to poles, make a big hit or a good maul set-up, if the fans can get behind that it will play a huge role.”

Both sides are set to have full-strength line-ups for the match, with Wilco Louw likely returning from injury and Willie le Roux is expected to start following his honeymoon, while Frans Malherbe, Damian Willemse and Manie Libbok are back in the Stormers squad.

“The international players add quality to our game. It’s a lot faster, harder and physical,” Carr said.

“If you have Canan Moodie out there doing a chip kick and stuff like that you obviously have to chase if he taps it back, so you have to work harder to pick up the scraps.

“The Stormers also have quality Springboks in their team and also rely on them to make a difference.

“They will probably want to close down our back three and not give them space because they can be lethal.”