Newlands said farewell to wing Pieter Rossouw on Saturday, but it was young centre Marius Joubert who grabbed the limelight with a brace of tries in a close 31-27 win over the Bulls.
The Bulls had led 10-6 at halftime and threatened a major upset when they went into a 17-9 lead in the second half, but Joubert (pictured) served notice of his Springbok credentials with an inspirational second half showing.
Fullback Percy Montgomery also had a good day with the boot, slotting four penalties and converting two of the Stormers' three tries. The Bulls replied with four tries - two of which were converted - and one penalty.
Montgomery gave the Stormers a 3-0 lead in the ninth minute after a spell in the Bulls' territory. They came close to increasing the lead shortly afterwards when the Bok fullback knocked the ball in the goal area after a kick through by Joubert.
It was to be the story of the half as the Stormers went close on a couple of occasions, only to be snuffed out by individual errors or a watertight Bulls defence.
They then took the lead against the run of play in the 19th minute when Springbok lock Victor Matfield touched down after a succession of phases in the Stormers' 22-metre area.
Heyneke Meyer's side had been given a good platform from a penalty conceded by Stormers flyhalf Werner Greeff, who executed an illegal spear tackle.
Bulls flyhalf Franco Smith added the two points and five minutes later gave his side a 10-3 lead following another raid into Stormers territory.
But the home side's reply was immediate as centre De Wet Barry was played into space and the Bulls infringed on the ground after bringing him down. Montgomery struck his second penalty to reduce the deficit to four points.
The Stormers could well have been in the lead at the break as they had comfortably the better of territory and possession in the latter stages of the half, though they squandered numerous opportunities to convert their dominance into points.
Five minutes after the restart, Montgomery struck his third penalty to make it a one-point ball game, but Bulls fullback Johan Roets touched down as the Bulls attacked strongly from the restart and flyhalf Franco Smith's conversion made it 17-9.
The Stormers came back in the 50th minute as the Bulls failed to control the ball in their 22-metre.
Man of the Match Joubert could have scored himself, but in a generous gesture passed the ball to Rossouw, ensuring the veteran Bok wing scored in his last game at Newlands before heading for English club London Irish.
Montgomery struck a superb conversion from the corner and the Stormers took the lead in the 57th minute with a stunning individual effort by Joubert. He stepped inside and beat off a string of challenges to score under the posts. Montgomery converted to give the Stormers a 23-17 lead and the tide had turned.
Yet the Bulls were not going to be pushovers and left wing Giscard Pieters ran in for a try shortly afterwards before Joubert scored his second which involved a fine offload by Bok captain Bob Skinstad, who had come on for Adri Badenhorst.
Right wing Wylie Human scored in the corner for the Bulls with 10 minutes left, but Montgomery executed the final act - a 77th minute pressure penalty to put the game beyond doubt.