CONFIRMED: Bok heroes to start for Stormers against Scarlets

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson has named a strong matchday squad for Friday’s United Rugby Championship Round Three clash against the Scarlets in Llanelli.

Springboks Damian Willemse and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will feature for the Stormers for the first time this season.

There are several changes to the team this week as they look to make it three consecutive wins this season in their first tour game.

Willemse slots in at fullback, with Wandisile Simelane at outside centre and captain Ruhan Nel shifting to inside centre, alongside flyhalf Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

In the forward pack, flanks Paul de Villiers and Ben-Jason Dixon are back in the starting line-up, while there are first starts this season for lock Ruben van Heerden, hooker JJ Kotzé and props Sazi Sandi and Ali Vermaak.

The replacements bench features experienced flank Deon Fourie and talented scrumhalf Imad Khan, who are both in line to take the field in a Stormers jersey for the first time this season.

Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Ruhan Nel (captain), 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 JD Schickerling, 3 Sazi Sandi, 2 JJ Kotzé, 1 Ali Vermaak.
Replacements: 16 André-Hugo Venter, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Deon Fourie, 22 Imad Khan, 23 Jurie Matthee.

Date: Friday, October 10:
Venue: Parc Y Scarlets, Llanelli
Kick-off: 19.45 (20.45 SAST; 18.45 GMT)
Referee: Federico Vedovelli (Italy)
Assistant referees: Ben Connor (Wales) & Carwyn Sion (Wales)
TMO: Stefano Penne (Italy)