Fouché to skipper Stormers
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Neethling Fouché will lead the Stormers in their final United Rugby Championship match of the season against Cardiff on Friday night.
Fouché takes over the captaincy with Deon Fourie sidelined with a knee injury and Ruhan Nel still recovering from a calf injury, as the Stormers end the regular season at Cardiff Arms Park.
There are just two changes to the forward pack, with Fouché starting in the front row and Paul de Villiers in at openside flank in place of Fourie.
Salmaan Moerat makes his return from injury from a replacement bench that also features hooker JJ Kotzé and loose forward Marcel Theunissen this week.
In the backline, there is an all-new midfield of Jonathan Roche and Wandisile Simelane, as Damian Willemse moves to fullback and Suleiman Hartzenberg comes in on the right wing.
Director of Rugby John Dobson said that his team will be going all-out to end the regular season with a win.
“We obviously would like to finish as high on the standings as possible and take some winning momentum into the play-offs, but there are also some rotations to our team as we look to build maximum capacity ahead of the knock-outs.
“There were some lessons we took from our draw in Belfast last week, and we know it will take a big effort to get the better of what will be a desperate Cardiff team.
“Although we have already secured a home quarterfinal, there is plenty to play for, and everyone is excited to meet the challenge at Cardiff Arms Park,” he said.
Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Imad Khan, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Adré Smith, 3 Neethling Fouché (captain), 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotzé, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Salmaan Moerat, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Keke Morabe, 22 Stefan Ungerer, 23 Jurie Matthee.
Date: Friday, May 15
Venue: Arms Park, Cardiff
Kick-off: 19.45; 20.45 SA Time; 18.45 GMT
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Ben Connor (Wales) and Lucas Yendle (Wales)
TMO: Olly Hodges (Ireland)
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