The Stormers will unleash serious Springbok firepower in Saturday’s blockbuster Vodacom URC coastal derby against the Sharks at a packed Cape Town Stadium.
Scrumhalf Cobus Reinach, inside centre Damian Willemse and fullback Warrick Gelant all return to the starting XV, immediately lifting the attacking ceiling for one of the season’s most anticipated fixtures.
Reinach links up with Stormers captain Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at halfback, reuniting a combination designed to bring tempo and precision. Outside them, Willemse slots into midfield alongside the in-form Wandisile Simelane, while Gelant marshals a back three that also includes Leolin Zas and Suleiman Hartzenberg.
There’s also a bit of talent on the bench, with Imad Khan and Jurie Matthee providing backline cover, while forwards Sazi Sandi, Salmaan Moerat and Louw Nel are included in the match 23.
Up front, the Stormers retain continuity in the tight five. Ntuthuko Mchunu, Andre-Hugo Venter and Neethling Fouche start again in the front row, with Connor Evans partnering JD Schickerling in the engine room.
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The only change in the loose trio sees Marcel Theunissen start at No 8 in place of Evan Roos, who has been rested as a precaution due to a minor groin strain.
Stormers director of rugby John Dobson expects another high-octane derby in front of a capacity crowd.
“This is our third and final home derby of the season and we are set for another blockbuster in front of a huge crowd,” Dobson said.
“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.
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“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.”
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STORMERS – 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (c), 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Marcel Theunissen, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Connor Evans, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Bench: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Salmaan Moerat, 20 Ruben van Heerden, 21 Louw Nel, 22 Imad Khan, 23 Jurie Matthee.
Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images
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