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Willemse's latest switch as Springboks boost Stormers

By @rugby365com
Friday 18 Apr 2025

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson has revealed his team to face Connacht at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

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Lock Ruben van Heerden will play his 50th match for the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship clash with Connacht.

The Stormers start a crucial run of four home games to end the league phase of the season when they take on the Irish side at 16h00 on Saturday.

Outside backs Warrick Gelant and Seabelo Senatla both make their return from injury, which means that Damian Willemse shifts to the midfield where he will partner Dan du Plessis. The only other change to the starting backline sees a fit-again Stefan Ungerer come in at scrumhalf.

There are two changes to the front row, with André-Hugo Venter starting at hooker and Sazi Sandi at tighthead in place of the suspended Neethling Fouché, with Frans Malherbe unavailable due to injury.

Captain Salmaan Moerat makes his return from a minor foot injury to take his place in the second row alongside Van Heerden, while Paul de Villiers makes his first start at openside flank.

The replacements bench features the return of lock JD Schickerling from injury and includes the experienced Brok Harris, Deon Fourie, Paul de Wet and Ben Loader, while loosehead prop Vernon Matongo is set to make his first URC appearance.

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Director of Rugby John Dobson said that his team cannot wait to play in front of their fans once again.

“It has been more than two months since we played at home, and we are really excited to see what this team can do on Saturday.

“We have got some key players back in the mix, and the build-up has been good. We understand just how important this run of games is in the context of our season and will be going all-out to make our supporters proud,” he said.

Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Dan du Plessis, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Marcel Theunissen, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Salmaan Moerat (captain), 3 Sazi Sandi, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Ali Vermaak.
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Brok Harris, 19 JD Schickerling, 20 Louw Nel, 21 Deon Fourie, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Ben Loader.

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Date: Saturday, April 19
Venue: Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 16.00 (14.00 GMT; 15.00 IRE & UK)
Referee: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa) & Stephan Geldenhuys (South Africa)
TMO: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)

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