Speedster Bryan Habana picked up where he left off last year with the only try of the game as the Bulls turned around a first-half deficit to see off a determined Stormers side.

The IRB Player of the Year, a member of South Africa's World Cup winning side, notched his 25th try in his 40 Super Rugby match just before the break in a clash dominated by sterling defensive work.

Stormers flyhalf Peter Grant failed with an early attempt to put his side in the lead but made no mistake when offered a second chance moments later.

He doubled the hosts' advantage just past the quarter-hour and their lead was nine points when he slotted his third before the game was half hour old.

The Bulls finally got on the board five minutes before half-time when Habana was the beneficiary after a prolonged spell of pressure on the Stormers' line.

However it would be the winger's final contribution as a reported arm injury meant he did not reappear in the second half.

The conversion from Derrick Hougaard brought the Bulls within two points at half-time.

Shortly after the break the Bulls flyhalf gave his side the lead for the first time in the match with a penalty when wing John Mametsa was spear tackled by the Stormers' defence.

He notched his second penalty soon after the hour mark when a high tackle on replacement Dewald Johan Potgieter afforded the opportunity.

And Hougaard edged his side towards victory with his third a couple of minutes before full time when Luke Watson strayed off-side.

The win will provide the Bulls with a boost ahead of their clash with the Crusaders next weekend while the Stormers will look to re-group before visiting the Sharks in round two.

Stormers (9) 9
Pen: Grant (3)

Bulls (7) 16
Try: Habana
Con: Hougaard
Pen: Hougaard (3)

Stormers: Gio Aplon, Tonderai Chavhanga, Gcobani Bobo, Jean de Villiers (captain), Sireli Naqelevuki, Peter Grant, Ricky Januarie, Luke Watson, Francois Louw, Schalk Burger, Andries Bekker, Francois van der Merwe, Brian Mujati, Tiaan Liebenberg, JD Moller.

Reserves: Schalk Brits, Brok Harris, Adriaan Fondse, Ross Skeate, Bolla Conradie, Joe Pietersen, Dylan Des Fountain

Bulls: Zane Kirchner, John Mametsa, JP Nel, Wynand Olivier, Bryan Habana, Derick Hougaard, Fourie du Preez (captain), Pedrie Wannenburg, Wikus van Heerden, Deon Stegmann, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Danie Rossouw, Rayno Gerber, Derick Kuun, Gurthro Steenkamp.

Reserves: James van der Walt, Jaco Engels, Werner Kruger, Dewald Potgieter, Heini Adams, Morne Steyn, Marius Delport