Stormers get a major boost for Champions Cup play-off
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Experienced flank Deon Fourie will make his return from injury in one of four changes to the Stormers’ starting XV for the Round of 16 clash with Stade Rochelais at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
The Stormers will be looking to make it two wins this season against the defending champions.
There is just one change to the backline that started in the United Rugby Championship win against Ulster last week as Herschel Jantjies starts at scrumhalf, with hooker Joseph Dweba and flank Ben-Jason Dixon included along with the fit-again Fourie in the changes up front.
As a result loose forward Hacjivah Dayimani and scrumhalf Paul de Wet will provide impact in the second half from the replacements bench.
Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson said that his team is looking forward to what should be a great occasion at Cape Town Stadium as they take on the two-time champions.
“A home knock-out match in the Champions Cup is a great achievement in itself, especially considering the quality of teams we faced in our pool matches.
“We want to make the most of the opportunity to play at Cape Town Stadium in front of our fans. There should be an incredible atmosphere if the last two weeks are anything to go by.
“We are very happy to have Deon back in the mix and this promises to be a heavyweight clash against one of the best teams around,” he said.
Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Dan du Plessis, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Salmaan Moerat (captain), 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Brok Harris.
Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Adre Smith, 20 Hacjivah Dayimani, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Ben Loader.
Date: Saturday, April 6
Venue: Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 16.00 (16.00 CEST; 14.00 GMT)
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant referees: Hamish Smales (England), John Meredith (England)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)
