Stormers load up on Boks for coastal derby against Sharks
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson named his side to take on the Hollywoodbets Sharks in Round Three of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship at DHL Stadium on Saturday.
Seven Springboks will play their first match for the Stormers this season, while scrumhalf Haashim Pead is set to make his debut off the replacements bench in a match-day squad which includes 11 Springboks in total.
There are three changes to the backline, with Damian Willemse at fullback and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu linking up with Cobus Reinach at halfback.
Pead and Wandisile Simelane are the two backs among the replacements.
In the front row, Wilco Louw is set to earn his first Stormers cap since 2020, while Deon Fourie provides hooker cover and will sit alongside props Neethling Fouché and Vernon Matongo on the bench.
Lock Adré Smith comes into the starting line-up for the first time this season, while in the loose trio Paul de Villiers makes his return, which sees Siya Kolisi move to blindside flank.
Evan Roos and Riley Norton feature on a replacements bench that is certain to add plenty of momentum in the second half.
Director of Rugby John Dobson said that the first home match of the season at DHL Stadium promises to be a classic.
“It is fantastic to be able to name a team like this which is full of exceptional talents, from Deon Fourie with 141 Stormers caps through to Haashim Pead who makes his first appearance for us.
“It has been really encouraging to see the way the players returning from national duty have stepped up this week and added immensely to our preparations. It was a tough team to select with many quality players missing out.
“This weekend we also play our first match in the new Men in Black kit, which is a great nod to our past and something which resonates deeply with our fans.
“It is going to be a fantastic occasion at DHL Stadium on Saturday, beyond the rugby, which will be typically intense. We hope that our fans come out in their numbers to enjoy every moment with us,” he said.
Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel (captain), 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Adré Smith, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Neethling Fouché, 19 Riley Norton, 20 Connor Evans, 21 Evan Roos, 22 Haashim Pead, 23 Wandisile Simelane.
Date: Saturday, October 10
Venue: DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 16.00 SAST (14.00 GMT)
Referee: Morné Ferreira (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Griffin Colby (South Africa), Stephan Geldenhuys (South Africa)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)
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