Two key backs have been ruled out of the Stormers’ Vodacom URC encounter with the Lions at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
Star Springbok flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has a groin injury, and is replaced in the No 10 jersey by Jurie Matthee.
Midfielder Ruhan Nel (calf injury) will also miss the match, with Wandisile Simelane starting at outside centre.
Bok utility back Damian Willemse is also still unavailable due to a hamstring injury.
AFRICA PICKS: Handicap steal on red hot Stormers
In the pack, Marcel Theunissen comes in at blindside flank while Ruben van Heerden returns from injury to start in the second row.
Tighthead prop Neethling Fouche will bring up 100 appearances for the Stormers.
Utility back Suleiman Hartzenberg is set to make his return from injury off the 6-2 bench, with scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer the only other back among the replacements.
SUPERBRU: Stormers blitz Lions, Sharks sink Bulls
The Stormers are looking to make it nine consecutive wins this season.
“We have not played at DHL Stadium since early October and it is a big South African derby, so it should be a great day out for everyone,” said director of rugby John Dobson.
“We have been disrupted by some injury concerns this week, but have confidence that every player selected will rise to the occasion.”
NEETHLING: 100 Stormers caps ‘bittersweet’
Dobson paid tribute to Fouche on reaching this significant milestone.
“The only other props to have reached 100 caps for the DHL Stormers are Brok Harris, Frans Malherbe and Steven Kitshoff. Neethling is close with all three of them and fully deserves his status alongside them as one of the most dedicated and passionate to have pulled on the jersey.”
STORMERS – 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Marcel Theunissen, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Salmaan Moerat (c), 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Vernon Matongo.
Bench: 16 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Adre Smith, 20 JD Schickerling, 21 Ben-Jason Dixon, 22 Stefan Ungerer, 23 Suleiman Hartzenberg.
Photo: Cole Cruickshank/Gallo Images
The post Stormers suffer double injury setback appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.