Saturday's first match is our clash of the weekend as it puts the New Zealand and the South African conference leaders against each other for the first time at the new Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.The two teams are currently placed first and second in the Super Rugby standings with the Stormers occupying the top spot whilst also being the only team that is still unbeaten.The match is a tough start for the Stormers as it is their first outside of South Africa in 2012.
Both teams have been playing a similar game based on forward dominance with a focus on the breakdown and then rock solid defence.
The Stormers have only conceded seven tries thus far this season and the Highlanders eight. Only the Bulls and Chiefs, with six each, boast a better defensive record in 2012.The Highlanders, however, have outscored the Stormers by more than two tries to one this year- 17 compared to 8.
The Highlanders have played the Stormers 15 times and won eight times and lost six times with one draw. The last four matches have however been won by the Stormers although it should be noted that three of the last four matches have been in Cape Town.
On average when these teams play each other the Highlanders score 24 points and the Stormers score 22 points.
In New Zealand the Highlanders have played the Stormers six times and only lost once. There was a draw between the teams in 2005 but that was played in Invercargill .On average in Dunedin the Highlanders score 29 points against the Stormers who score 19 points.
The Highlanders generally enjoy hosting South African sides - they've won 25 out of 34 home games against teams from the Republic (73.5%).The Stormers have made on chang for this match while the Highlanders have announced that they will announce their team on Friday.
Both teams have been playing a similar game based on forward dominance with a focus on the breakdown and then rock solid defence.
The Stormers have only conceded seven tries thus far this season and the Highlanders eight. Only the Bulls and Chiefs, with six each, boast a better defensive record in 2012.The Highlanders, however, have outscored the Stormers by more than two tries to one this year- 17 compared to 8.
The Highlanders have played the Stormers 15 times and won eight times and lost six times with one draw. The last four matches have however been won by the Stormers although it should be noted that three of the last four matches have been in Cape Town.
On average when these teams play each other the Highlanders score 24 points and the Stormers score 22 points.
In New Zealand the Highlanders have played the Stormers six times and only lost once. There was a draw between the teams in 2005 but that was played in Invercargill .On average in Dunedin the Highlanders score 29 points against the Stormers who score 19 points.
The Highlanders generally enjoy hosting South African sides - they've won 25 out of 34 home games against teams from the Republic (73.5%).The Stormers have made on chang for this match while the Highlanders have announced that they will announce their team on Friday.