Triple Bok boost for Stormers ahead of Sharks showdown
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson has revealed his team for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship showdown with the Sharks in Cape Town.
The Capetonians have been boosted by the return of three Springboks in their backline.
Scrumhalf Cobus Reinach, inside centre Damian Willemse and fullback Warrick Gelant are back in the starting line-up for the coastal clash.
Reinach partners captain Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at halfback, while Willemse slots into midfield alongside Wandisile Simelane, with Gelant at the back where he will link up with Leolin Zas and Suleiman Hartzenberg.
Imad Khan and Jurie Matthee are the two backs on a replacements bench, which also sees forwards Sazi Sandi, Salmaan Moerat and Louw Nel come into the matchday squad.
The front row of Ntuthuko Mchunu, Neethling Fouché and André-Hugo Venter start together once again, with Connor Evans and JD Schickerling the lock pairing.
There has been one change to loose trio, with Marcel Theunissen coming in for Evan Roos, who has been rested as a precaution with a minor groin strain.
Dobson said that it will be another special occasion in front of a packed DHL Stadium.
“This is our third and final home derby of the season and we are set for another blockbuster in front of a huge crowd.
“These are the matches that players, coaches and fans live for and we know that it will take a big performance to get the result.
“We have some quality players coming into the team and they will all need to hit the ground running and bring plenty of intensity.
“It is fantastic to have the likes of Cobus, Damian and Warrick back in the mix and we are also excited to see what the likes of Marcel and Louw can do given this opportunity,” he said.
Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (captain), 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Marcel Theunissen, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Connor Evans, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotzé, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Salmaan Moerat, 20 Ruben van Heerden, 21 Louw Nel, 22 Imad Khan, 23 Jurie Matthee.
Date: Saturday, January 24
Venue: DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 19.30 (17.30 GMT)
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Hanru van Rooyen (South Africa), Jonathan Lottering (South Africa)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
