Stormers bolster starting XV for URC Final
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Stormers head coach John Dobson has revealed his matchday squad for the United Rugby Championship Final against Munster.
Springbok forwards Deon Fourie and Marvin Orie make their return to the team for the clash at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
Both players missed the semifinal due to injury, but will take their places in the starting XV for the showpiece match.
The backline that started in the semifinal win against Connacht is unchanged, with Clayton Blommetjies on the bench in place of the injured Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
Fourie and Orie come in, which means that hooker Joseph Dweba and lock Ruben van Heerden are the only starting forwards that did not feature in the United Rugby Championship Grand Final at Cape Town Stadium last season.
Dobson said that it is a major boost to have the likes of Fourie and Orie back for the Grand Final.
“Both Deon and Marvin have been outstanding for us this season and they will add a lot both in terms of their ability and leadership on Saturday.
“We have a lot of respect for Munster, the truth is that we have never beaten them, so while we are thrilled to be playing at home we know it will be a big challenge against a good team.
“This will be the biggest crowd for any Stormers match and it should be an amazing occasion for the team, our passionate supporters and the city of Cape Town.
“We are so grateful for the support that we enjoy and what this team means to so many people. We will do our best to soak up the atmosphere, enjoy every moment and play the kind of rugby that got us here,” he said.
Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain).
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Alistair Vermaak, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Ben-Jason Dixon, 20 Willie Engelbrecht, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Clayton Blommetjies.
Date: Saturday, May 27
Venue: Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 18.30 (17.30 Ireland & UK time; 16.30 GMT)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Mike Adamson (Scotland), Craig Evans (Wales)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
