Duane Vermeulen was immense for the Stormers
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Matches: Bulls 17 - 29 Stormers

The Stormers continued a trend of away wins in the opening round of Super Rugby by shocking fellow South Africans the Bulls, with left wing Dillyn Leyds and No.8 and skipper Duane Vermuelen crossing the try-line for the Cape Town-based side at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Ever-dependable goal-kicker and fly-half Demetri Catrakilis converted both tries and slotted three penalties from five attempts. Kurt Coleman, who replaced Catrakilis for the closing stages, kicked one penalty and a drop goal for a team who came closest to the title in 2010 when finishing runners-up to the Bulls.

Bulls flanker Deon Stegmann scored the try that gave three-time champions an early lead, and fly-half Handre Pollard kicked four second-half penalties for the home team, who trailed 17-5 at half-time. Fielding three Springboks compared to the 13 of the Bulls, often poor travellers Stormers recovered from conceding a try to take a ninth-minute lead they never surrendered.

"What an amazing victory," boasted 2014 South African Rugby Player of the Year Vermuelen, skippering the side because of a long-term injury to centre Jean de Villiers. "The response of the young guys in a much less experienced team than the Bulls was awesome.

"Our recipe for success was simple -- know your job and do your job well. Everyone gave 100 per cent out there. Game breakers are vital and after Demetri [Catrakilis] did a wonderful job, Kurt [Coleman] came on, kicked a difficult penalty before wrapping up the victory with a drop goal."

Veteran Bulls skipper and lock Victor Matfield admitted to be being "very disappointed" as Bulls lost at home having won seven matches at Loftus Versfeld last season and drawn the other.

"After a great off-season, we made too many errors tonight and got punished. We had a good first 10 minutes and a good 30 minutes after half-time, before needlessly conceding penalties that cost us the game."