Get Newsletter

Willemse takes centre stage against Leinster

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENTS: There are three changes to the Stormers starting line-up to face Leinster in a table-topping United Rugby Championship clash at Stadium on Saturday.

ADVERTISEMENT

The home side will be looking to make it eight consecutive home wins when they take on the eight-time champions on Saturday.

Warrick Gelant starts at fullback, with Damian Willemse shifting to inside centre in place of Rikus Pretorius who is ruled out due to concussion.

Deon Fourie returns from injury to take his place on the side of the scrum, while the only other change to the starting line-up sees JJ Kotze at hooker in place of the injured Siyabonga Ntubeni, with Wilmar Arnoldi set to make his Stormers debut from the replacements bench.

Also among the replacements is experienced centre Juan de Jongh, who is one of four players in the matchday squad with over 100 Stormers caps.

Stormers Head Coach John Dobson said that his team are looking forward to testing themselves against the log-leaders.

“This should be a great occasion for a number of reasons, with the top two teams on the standings taking each other on at Cape Town Stadium.

ADVERTISEMENT

“This is a crucial game for both teams with the play-offs getting closer and we are expecting an intense game.

“We know Leinster’s pedigree and saw how competitive they were last week, so we are looking forward to measuring ourselves against them.

“We will have to be accurate and clinical in all that we do for the full 80 minutes, which is a challenge that the team is embracing,” he said.

Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 JJ Kotze, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain).
Replacements: 16 Wilmar Arnoldi, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Salmaan Moerat, 20 Junior Pokomela, 21 Ben-Jason Dixon, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Juan de Jongh.

ADVERTISEMENT

Date: Saturday, April 30
Venue: Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 18.15 (17.15 UK Time, 16.15 GMT)
Referee: Craig Evans (Wales)
Assistant referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa); Morné Ferreira (South Africa)
TMO: Ben Crouse (South Africa)

Join free

Yokohama Canon Eagles vs Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

Edinburgh vs Glasgow | Celtic Challenge 2024/25 | Match Highlights

Boks Office | Episode 31 | Investec Champions Cup Review

Global Schools Challenge | Day 2 Replay

The Backyard Bunch | The USA's Belmont Shore

AUSTRALIA vs USA behind the scenes | HSBC SVNS Embedded | E04

South Africa v France | HSBC SVNS Cape Town 2024 | Men's Final Match Highlights

Two Sides - Behind the scenes with the British & Irish Lions in South Africa | E01

Write A Comment