Dobson changes his team for tour opener
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: There are a number of changes to the Stormers team for the first game of their four-match United Rugby Championship tour against Glasgow Warriors on Friday.
Following two bonus-point victories in South Africa to start the season, the Stormers now face the Scottish outfit at Scotstoun Stadium.
With Ruhan Nel ruled out due to a concussion picked up in the win against Scarlets last week, Ben Loader moves to outside centre, with Angelo Davids taking his place on the wing.
Jean-Luc du Plessis has recovered from a pre-season niggle to start at flyhalf and will link up with scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies at halfback.
Keke Morabe makes his first start for the Stormers at the back of the scrum, with Evan Roos shifting to flank and Willie Engelbrecht on the other side of the scrum.
The only other change to the starting line-up is in the second row, with Ben-Jason Dixon alongside Ruben van Heerden.
There will also be a first appearance of the season from scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer from a replacements bench which also features the versatile Clayton Blommetjies.
Stormers coach John Dobson said that while training time has been limited, his team is ready to give it a full go in Glasgow.
“This will be an altogether different challenge to what we have faced already this season on an artificial pitch in the Northern Hemisphere autumn.
“There are a few players coming in for their first appearance of the campaign and they are all keen to make an impact, so we are looking forward to the challenge,” he said.
Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Ben Loader, 12 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Keke Morabe, 7 Evan Roos, 6 Willie Engelbrecht, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Ben-Jason Dixon, 3 Neethling Fouche (captain), 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Ali Vermaak.
Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Brok Harris, 19 Adre Smith, 20 Gary Porter, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Stefan Ungerer, 23 Clayton Blommetjies.
Date: Friday, November 3
Venue: Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow
Kick-off: 19.35 (19.35 GMT; 21.35 SA time)
Referee: Chris Busby (Ireland)
Assistant referees: David Sutherland (Scotland) and Michael Todd (Scotland)
TMO: Colin Stanley (Ireland)
