Bok scrumhalf gets bench role as Stormers make eight changes

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson has revealed his team for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship Round Five clash against Benetton in Treviso.

There are eight changes to the starting line-up.

There is an all-new tight five and a new halfback pairing for the match against the Italian outfit at Stadio Monigo.

The Stormers will be looking to end their tour on a high as they target their first-ever win in Treviso, to make it five consecutive victories at the start of the season.

Salmaan Moerat makes his return from injury and is joined in the second row by JD Schickerling, with a fit-again Sazi Sandi alongside André-Hugo Venter and Vernon Matongo up front.

At halfback, the experienced Dewaldt Duvenage will link up with Jurie Matthee as Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is rested this week, while Springbok scrumhalf Cobus Reinach is set to make his Stormers debut off a replacements bench that also features Oli Kebble, who will make his first appearance for the team since 2017.

Dobson said that his team will be going all-out in their last game for over a month.

“We know just how tough it is to win in Treviso, so it will take a big effort to get the result we need.

“The players coming in are all hungry to make an impression and we will be giving it everything to finish the tour with another win ahead of the international break.

“There are still several areas of our game we would like to improve, so this is an opportunity for us to build on the encouraging start we have made to the season,” he said.

Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel (captain), 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Sazi Sandi, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Vernon Matongo.
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Adré Smith, 20 Ruben van Heerden, 21 Ruan Ackerman, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Wandisile Simelane.

Date: Saturday, October 25
Venue: Stadio Monigo, Treviso
Kick-off: 18.30 (18.30 SAST; 16:30 GMT)
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy), Luca Bisetto (Italy)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (Scotland)