Willemse on the move again in Stormers line-up
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: There are four changes to the Stormers’ starting line-up for the United Rugby Championship encounter with Ospreys in Cape Town on Saturday.
Captain Steven Kitshoff’s team will be looking to make it five consecutive home wins when they take on the Welsh outfit on Saturday.
There are two changes to the backline and two in the forward pack from the team that secured a 23-20 win against Ulster last week.
Warrick Gelant has been left out as a precaution due to a minor thumb injury and his place at fullback is filled by Damian Willemse, with Rikus Pretorius coming in at inside centre.
Ernst van Rhyn has also been ruled out with an elbow injury picked up in training this week, so Hacjivah Dayimani starts at blindside flank, with the final change coming on the other side of the scrum where Junior Pokomela comes into the starting line-up.
There are also three new faces among the replacements, with Allister Vermaak, Ben-Jason Dixon and Sergeal Petersen all in line to make an impression in the second half.
Stormers coach John Dobson said that his team is aiming to build some more winning momentum against what will be a competitive Ospreys team.
“We have been pleased with our results recently, but we know there is still much we can improve in our game and hopefully we can show take another step forward on Saturday.
“It is another great opportunity for us to play in front of our Faithful supporters and we are expecting a real test from the Ospreys, who have a number of Test players in their ranks,” he said.
Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Junior Pokomela, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Chad Solomon, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain).
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Allister Vermaak, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Deon Fourie, 21 Ben-Jason Dixon, 22 Herschel Jantjies, 23 Sergeal Petersen.
Date: Saturday, April 2
Venue: Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 18.15 (17.15 Ireland & UK time; 16.15 GMT)
Referee: Frank Murphy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa), Dylen November (South Africa)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)
