The Stormers have been bolstered by the return of two Springbok stars for Saturday’s sold-out Vodacom URC clash against the Bulls at Cape Town Stadium.
The log leaders welcome back flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and inside centre Damian Willemse, who will be making his 100th start for the Cape side.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu missed the Stormers’ clash against the Lions two weeks ago due to a groin strain, while Willemse last featured for the Stormers against Benetton in late October due to a hamstring injury.
The backline will see the Springbok halfback pair of Feinberg-Mngomezulu and veteran Cobus Reinach start, while Willemse will team up with Wandisile Simelane in the midfield.
Who is ready for some Gaza magic?#STOvBUL #inittogether @Vodacom #URC pic.twitter.com/QhX5G2biLE
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) December 31, 2025
In other changes, director of rugby John Dobson has recalled Suleiman Hartzenberg into the starting line-up on the right wing after he featured off the bench in the win against the Lions.
Up front, Ali Vermaak starts at loosehead prop, while there is also a switch in the second row as JD Schickerling joins captain Salmaan Moerat at lock. The only change to the loose trio sees Ruan Ackermann start at openside flank as Paul de Villiers joins Adre Smith, Ruben van Heerden, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Sazi Sandi and Lukhanyo Vokozela in the group of forwards that will finish the game from the 6-2 bench.
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“This is one of the biggest club rugby matches in the world and will be played in front of a sold-out DHL Stadium,” said Dobson. “It should be an incredible experience for everyone there.
“We know that we will need to be at our absolute best throughout the game to come away with the result, so it is a challenge that every player and management member is looking forward to.”
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STORMERS – 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Ruan Ackermann, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Salmaan Moerat (c), 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Ali Vermaak.
Bench: 16 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Adre Smith, 20 Ruben van Heerden, 21 Paul de Villiers, 22 Stefan Ungerer, 23 Jurie Matthee.
Photo: Cole Cruickshank/Gallo Images
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