BlitzBok flyer one of four debutants in Stormers' matchday 23
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson has revealed his team for Sunday’s Champions Cup clash against Harlequins in London.
Loosehead prop Oli Kebble will reach 50 appearances for the Capetonians.
There are four players set to make their Stormers debut in the Round Three clash at Twickenham Stoop.
Luke Burger is on the left wing as the only run-on debutant, with lock Alex Groves, loose forward Wandile Mlaba and former Springbok Sevens flyer Mfundo Ndhlovu all set to earn their first caps from the replacements bench.
Damin Willemse will captain the team from inside centre, linking up with Suleiman Hartzenberg in midfield, while Dylan Maart is back on the right wing to join Burger and fullback Warrick Gelant.
The experienced Dewaldt Duvenage will partner Jurie Matthee at halfback, while scrumhalf Imad Khan, flyhalf Clinton Swart and Ndhlovu will provide backline cover.
Kebble will start alongside Springbok tighthead Zachary Porthen and hooker Lukhanyo Vokozela, who makes his first start having featured impressively as a replacement in recent weeks.
Connor Evans and Ruben van Heerden are in the second row, while Springbok flank Ben-Jason Dixon is joined by Marcel Theunissen and Louw Nel in the loose trio.
Director of Rugby John Dobson said that having trained hard in Cape Town before departing on Wednesday, it will be key to adapt to the change in conditions this weekend.
“We had three good training days at home before leaving and those were in vastly different conditions to what we can expect on Sunday, so our challenge is to acclimatise as quickly as possible.
“This matchday squad includes three Stormers centurions and five Springboks, along with the four debutants, so we have got a good mix. The one thing they all have in common is that they are focused on giving their all to get the right result this weekend,” he said.
Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 12 Damian Willemse (captain), 11 Luke Burger, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Marcel Theunissen, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Louw Nel, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Connor Evans, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 1 Oli Kebble.
Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Alex Groves, 20 Wandile Mlaba, 21 Imad Khan, 22 Clinton Swart, 23 Mfundo Ndhlovu.
Date: Sunday, January 11
Venue: Twickenham Stoop, London
Kick-off: 13.00 (15.00 SAST; 14.00 CET)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Assistant referees: Shota Tevzadze (Georgia), Amber Stamp-Dunstan (Wales)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
