VIDEO: North-South derby still brutal, but without the 'malice'
For Deon André Fourie, like any player, being part of the #BIG North-South derby is an incomparable experience.
When the Stormers and Bulls go head-to-head it is often brutal, with a good measure of venom.
The 37-year-old Fourie, who started in just two of his 13 Tests, has seen his share of brutal matches – having made more than 220 appearances for Western Province and the Stormers, along with 140-odd outings for French clubs Lyon and Grenoble.
However, the Pretoria-born and Pietersburg-schooled utility forward admitted there has always been a bit of extra ‘spite’ in the North-South derby.
“The derbies, since I started [2006], there were always ‘handbags’, shoving and words,” Fourie said after the Stormers’ 26-20 win over the Bulls last Saturday.
The veteran did not name the ‘meanies’ that spoilt the traditional rivalry, adding that the game has evolved.
“There is [now] respect between the guys,” he said, adding: “It’s for the love of the game.
“We are just playing rugby and that love of the game shone through [in this match] and the last couple of years.
“Credit to both sides for that [respect],” Fourie said.
(WATCH as Stormers captain Deon Fourie explains how the North-South derby has evolved in recent years, with much of the ‘malice’ gone from the game…)
The Stormers captain admitted that to beat the Bulls you have to be ‘up for it physically’.
“If they get momentum, you will struggle for 80 minutes,” he told @rugby365com.
“If you match that [physicality] or do better, half of the battle is won.”
He said it helps that the Stormers players “care for each other” and “care for the jersey”.
And they are also trying to create “something special” for the people of the Western Cape.
They did that by edging the Bulls in a tense South African derby in Cape Town this past Saturday – a result that lifted the 2022 champions to seventh.
The Stormers led for all but 14 minutes of a match played in front of a crowd of 39,927.
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