Stormers Bok to miss quarterfinal
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Stormers coach John Dobson has been forced into making some changes for the United Rugby Championship quarterfinal showdown with Edinburgh in Cape Town on Saturday.
Scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies and centre Rikus Pretorius will make their return for the Stormers for the encounter at the Green Point-based stadium.
The inclusion of Jantjies and Pretorius are the only changes from the team that started the win against Scarlets in Llanelli, which saw them clinch the South African conference in the final game of the regular season.
Jantjies starts at scrumhalf, while Pretorius is at inside centre in place of Damian Willemse – who has been ruled out due to an arm injury.
Dobson said that while Willemse had been given as much time as possible to prove his fitness, it was decided not to risk him with Pretorius ready to step in.
“We gave Damian as much time as we could to make it for this match, but in the end it was not worth the risk, especially as we have a quality player in Rikus to start at 12.
“It also gives the talented Sacha Mngomezulu an opportunity to show what he can do when he comes on,” he added.
The only other changes to the matchday squad see lock Adre Smith and debutant utility back Sacha Mngomezulu included among the replacements.
Dobson said that his team want to make the most of the opportunity to play a quarterfinal in front of their faithful supporters.
“A lot of hard work has gone into securing this home quarterfinal, so we are determined to rise to the occasion.
“It has been a good week of preparation and everyone is excited about what should be a memorable day.
“We want to raise the intensity and make sure that we are at our best for the full 80 minutes, playing the kind of rugby that has got us into this position,” he said.
Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Jean-Jacques Kotze, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain).
Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Adre Smith, 20 Ernst van Rhyn, 21 Kuyenzeka Xaba, 22 Godlen Masimla, 23 Sacha Mngomezulu.
Date: Saturday, June 4
Venue: Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 19.00 (18.00 UK time; 17.00 GMT)
Referee: Frank Murphy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Chris Busby (Ireland), Adam Jones (Wales)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
