The blockbuster Vodacom URC derby between the Bulls and Stormers has been moved from its original festive-season slot.

The fixture had initially been set for 27 December at Loftus Versfeld, but will now take place on 14 March.

As a result, the Bulls will enjoy a week’s break over the Christmas period, following their clash with the Sharks in Durban on 19 December. John Ackermann’s men will then kick off the new year away to the Stormers in Cape Town on 3 January

The last time the two South African powerhouses met was on 1 March, when the Bulls edged the Stormers 19-16 at Loftus Versfeld.

The Lions’ home clash against the Sharks on 27 December remains unchanged.

CONNACHT vs VODACOM BULLS (Friday, 8:45pm)

BULLS – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Dawid Kriel, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Sebastian de Klerk, 10 Keagan Johannes, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 JJ Theron, 6 Nama Xaba, 5 Reinhardt Ludwig (c), 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 1 Alu Tshakweni.
Bench: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, 20 Mpilo Gumede, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Harold Vorster, 23 Stravino Jacobs.

New Vodacom Bulls captain Reinhardt Ludwig says the team is still hurting from their 28-7 loss to Ulster in Belfast last weekend.

But he adds that they’re determined to set things right in Galway against Connacht on Friday.

“We’re hurting from last week, but there’s a big desire to bounce back,” Ludwig said. “Playing Connacht will be a massive test of character for us, but for us it’s focusing on what we can control. We’re expecting a really tough game.”