Dobson reveals Stormers team for Northampton showdown
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Experienced prop Brok Harris will lead the Stormers in a friendly encounter with Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday.
It will be the first time the Stormers will face the Premiership log-leaders.
Harris is joined by hooker JJ Kotze and Sazi Sandi in the front row, with Connor Evans and Gary Porter the lock pairing.
Keke Morabe is at the back of the scrum, with Willie Engelbrecht and Junior Pokomela on the flanks.
There are seven more forwards on an extended bench, with rolling substitutions set to see all 26 players get game time.
Springbok fullback Warrick Gelant will link up with wings Ben Loader and Chris Hollis at the back, while Dan du Plessis and Wandisile Simelane form an exciting midfield partnership.
The promising Jurie Matthee will be at flyhalf, with the experienced Stefan Ungerer at scrumhalf.
The 11-man bench also has the versatile Hacjivah Dayimani down as backline cover, along with the likes of Suleiman Hartzenberg and talented young centre Damian Markus.
Stormers head coach John Dobson said that the squad is looking forward to the experience of playing at one of the great English rugby venues against a top side.
“We have seen Northampton on top form this season in both the Premiership and Champions Cup, so this will be a great test for all 26 players involved on Saturday.
“Franklin’s Gardens is a renowned rugby venue and we hope to play our part in what should be a highly entertaining friendly between two sides who both have a natural attacking instinct,” he said.
*The match will be streamed live on the Northampton Saints Youtube channel SaintsTV. CLICK HERE to access SaintsTV.
Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Chris Hollis, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Ben Loader, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Keke Morabe, 7 Junior Pokomela, 6 Willie Engelbrecht, 5 Connor Evans, 4 Gary Porter, 3 Sazi Sandi, 2 JJ Kotze, 1 Brok Harris (captain).
Replacements: 16 Chad Solomon, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19 Scarra Ntubeni, 20 Ben-Jason Dixon, 21 Nama Xaba, 22 Marcel Theunissen, 23 Godlen Masimla, 24 Hacjivah Dayimani, 25 Damian Markus, 26 Suleiman Hartzenberg.
Date: Saturday, March 9
Venue: Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton
Kick-off: 14.30 (14.30 GMT; 16.30 SAST)
Referee: George Selwood
Assistant referees: Greg Macdonald, Peter Allan
