Stormers bolster matchday squad with experienced stars
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson has revealed his matchday squad for Saturday’s big North-South derby against the Bulls in Pretoria.
The Capetonians welcome back three players with over 100 caps.
Centurions Neethling Fouché, Deon Fourie and Damian Willemse are all in the starting line-up, along with Ruhan Nel, who takes over the captaincy.
Nel will line up in the midfield alongside Willemse, with Suleiman Hartzenberg on the right wing in the other change to the starting backline.
Scrumhalf Imad Khan, centre Jonathan Roche and utility back Wandisile Simelane are on the replacements bench.
In the front row, Fouché will link up with fellow Springboks André-Hugo Venter and Ntuthuko Mchunu, with JJ Kotzé, Vernon Matongo and Sazi Sandi set to make an impact in the second half.
The second row is unchanged, while in the loose trio Marcel Theunissen comes in for the injured Evan Roos and joins Fourie and Ben-Jason Dixon, with both Paul de Villiers and Hacjivah Dayimani set to be unleashed from the replacements bench.
Dobson said that the return of the likes of Nel, Fourie, Willemse and Fouché is a big boost ahead of a crucial game.
“It is fantastic to have these experienced players back in the mix this week. They have all played in many big games like this, and their presence will lift those around them as well.
“We are also really excited about the impact the players on the replacements bench will make. We know that it will take a huge effort from all 23 to get the result we need this weekend,” he said.
Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Ruhan Nel (captain), 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Marcel Theunissen, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Adré Smith, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotzé, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Paul de Villiers, 20 Hacjivah Dayimani, 21 Imad Khan, 22 Jonathan Roche, 23 Wandisile Simelane.
Date: Saturday, March 14
Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Kick-off: 14.00 (12.00 GMT)
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Morne Ferreira (South Africa), Griffin Colby (South Africa)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
