Stormers and Bulls all conquering, but long way to go

They are clearly the early season benchmarks, but New Zealand teams can take a small amount of solace in the fact that both of South Africa's title contenders have had an amicable draw so far.

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Naturally with both the Bulls and Stormers running rampant against kiwi outfits over the weekend, it is only natural for us to try (perhaps in vain!) and illuminate what might be possible stumbling blocks for the two impressive teams from Durban and Cape Town.

But make no mistake, the Bulls (1st) and Stormers (2nd) are top of the table nearly halfway into the competition, and at this stage only the Crusaders have performed in recent weeks to a level to suggest that they can be counted as title chances with these two South African juggernauts.

Amongst it all though we have seen, despite it being early days, a seismic shift in opposition teams fortunes in what had apparently become in recent years an easier place to win.

But it seems the Republic is becoming a hellish place to tour once again.

Last year the Waratahs had their best ever tour in South Africa.

The two current New Zealand tourists in the Republic have notable records in South Africa. Hurricanes had prior to this year won 15 from 30 in the Republic. The Highlanders had won 14 from 31 matches.

So far the two sides combined have lost four of five there.

One can only hope, for the sake of their opposition, that when they eventually leave their fortresses that are Loftus Versfeld or Newlands Stadium, that their form on the road is not as all consuming.

The Bulls, reigning champions, have played only one game away from home, playing the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein in round one.

They have played the Cheetahs, Brumbies, Waratahs and Highlanders. They are still to cross paths with their more illustrious local opponents or the more powerful (on paper) New Zealand teams.

But frighteningly for the Bulls foes, they still another game at Loftus next week against the wounded Hurricanes, and then after a four match road trip, they then return to Loftus for three straight games against the Lions, the Sharks and the Crusaders.

It was hardly as if the champions needed any help with a remarkably friendly draw!

They are looking close to unstoppable, breaking the half century for the third time this season against the Highlanders, and having scored a stunning 24 tries so far this season.

At this stage it seems there only weakness is their tendency to concede a fair amount of points, with their defence currently rated 11th in the competition.

But when it comes to defence, the Stormers are the polar opposite.

The Cape Town based franchise has only conceded 51 points and four tries, an absolutely breathtaking accomplishment when one considers how attacking teams are advantaged with the new law interpretations.

Like the Bulls, they have only once ventured away from the comforts at home, in round one against the Lions in Johannesburg.

They did get caught off guard by the Brumbies in week three, but it seems that game only served to give the Stormers an early season reality check.

Their performance against the Hurricanes, and before that the Waratahs (27-6) and Highlanders (33-0) has been exhibitions that have been utterly statement making.

This Stormers team looks hungry, well rounded, and in some facets positively terrifying. Few teams could have held out the Hurricanes when they were running their attacks at them over the weekend.  Their rolling maul when utilised peels off metre after metre, and at the ruck they are physically dominant.

Many coaches will pay homage to the mantra that defence wins championships, and the Stormers iron curtain is going to be hard to penetrate for any team.

They like the Bulls have set early season markers, but still need to travel.

But there can be no refuting that all teams are currently chasing the best attacking team in the Bulls, and the finest defensive side in the Stormers.