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Stormers lose second row bruiser ahead of Leinster semifinal

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson has been forced to make three injury-enforced changes to the Stormers starting line-up for their United Rugby Championship semifinal against Leinster in Dublin on Saturday.

Wing Seabelo Senatla, flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and lock Ruben van Heerden suffered injuries in the quarterfinal win against Cardiff in Cape Town.

It means Wandisile Simelane is named on the wing with Jurie Matthee taking over the No.10 jersey from Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

Meanwhile, Connor Evans will have some huge shoes to fill as he replaces Van Heerden in the second row.

There is just one change on the replacements bench, with Warrick Gelant coming into the matchday squad to provide backline cover with Matthee starting at flyhalf.

Captain Ruhan Nel and his midfield partner Dan du Plessis will become the most-capped Stormers centre pairing as they make their 31st start together, to go past De Wet Barry and Marius Joubert.

Dobson said that his team will have to be at their best to beat the defending champions on their home ground.

“This will be a big challenge for everyone involved against a team with a great pedigree and formidable home record, but these are the occasions we live for, and I have no doubt that our team will put in a worthy performance.

“We lost a few players last week, but those coming in have all played important roles in this campaign and are ready to give their all on Saturday.

“We have earned the chance to play for a place in the Grand Final, and it will come down to a big 80 minutes. This team will not leave anything out there as we aim to do our fans proud,” he said.

Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Wandisile Simelane, 13 Ruhan Nel (captain), 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Imad Khan, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Connor Evans, 4 Adré Smith, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotzé, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Salmaan Moerat, 20 Ruan Ackermann, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Stefan Ungerer, 23 Warrick Gelant.

Date: Saturday, June 6
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick-off: 17.30 IST (18.30 SAST; 16.30 GMT)
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Sam Grove-White (Scotland), Adam Jones (Scotland)
TMO: Mike Adamson (Scotland)

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