Stormers reveal new-look team for Harlequins showdown

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Salmaan Moerat makes his return from injury and will captain the Stormers in the Champions Cup clash with Harlequins in London on Saturday.

The imposing lock will make his first appearance of the season when he leads a matchday squad which includes five Stormers debutants at Twickenham Stoop.

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Loosehead prop Vernon Matongo is the only player on debut in the starting line-up, with tighthead Corne Weilbach, flank Paul de Villiers, centre Jonathan Roche and outside back JC Mars all set to make their first Stormers appearance from the replacements bench.

Clayton Blommetjies is another player returning from injury at fullback, with Seabelo Senatla and Angelo Davids on the wings.

Wandisile Simelane comes into the midfield, with Jurie Matthee and Stefan Ungerer as the halfbacks.

Louw Nel and Dave Ewers will start on either side of the scrum, while Moerat is joined by the fit-again Connor Evans in the second row.

Hooker JJ Kotze and prop Sazi Sandi will start alongside Matongo up front, with lock Gary Porter and scrumhalf Dewaldt Duvenage included among the replacements.

Director of Rugby John Dobson said that his team is primed to take on the challenge at Twickenham Stoop.

“This team has a good blend of youth and experience and the one thing they all have in common is that they are hungry to perform this weekend.

“These combinations have been training together in preparation for this match for some time and we are looking forward to seeing what they can do on the big stage on Saturday,” he said.

Stormers: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Willie Engelbrecht, 7 Louw Nel, 6 Dave Ewers, 5 Connor Evans, 4 Salmaan Moerat (captain), 3 Sazi Sandi, 2 JJ Kotze, 1 Vernon Matongo.
Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Corne Weilbach, 19 Gary Porter, 20 Paul de Villiers, 21 Dewaldt Duvenage, 22 Jonathan Roche, 23 JC Mars.

Date: Saturday, December 14
Venue: Twickenham Stoop, London
Kick-off: 20.00 (20.00 GMT; 22.00 SAST)
Referee: Ludovic Cayre (France)
Assistant referees: Evan Urruzmendi (France), Jonathan Gasnier (France)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)