The Stormers beat the defending champion Bulls 23-13 on Saturday in a rematch of last year's Super Rugby final.

The Stormers earned a measure of revenge by winning at Loftus Versfeld for the first time since 2003, and rising to the top of the Super 15 standings with their fourth win from four games.

Both teams scored a try in the intense South African derby on a field dampened by rain, but flyhalf Peter Grant kept the Stormers in front from the third minute thanks to six penalties from 10 shots at goal.

The Bulls' 20-match, three-year unbeaten streak at home was ended last weekend by Otago, and they lost their second straight by conceding more than a dozen penalties in the face of solid defense.

Bulls flyhalf Morne Steyn nailed only half of his goalkicks, making two penalties and converting a try by Bjorn Basson which had them trailing only 12-10 at halftime.

The result was only sealed 10 minutes from the end when replacement Brok Harris turned over Bulls possession in Stormers territory, scrumhalf Dewaldt Duvenhage kicked downfield, and winger Bryan Habana won the race with Basson to the ball to slide over in the left corner.

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