Hold on to your jerseys, folks! Ntuthuko Mchunu is about to storm the field in a Stormers jersey for the first time this Friday. The Springbok prop will strut his stuff in the Investec Champions Cup face-off against Bayonne at the Stade Jean Dauger. And guess who’s joining him? Neethling Fouche and JJ Kotze are lining up in the front row, while Lukhanyo Vokozela, another debutant, waits eagerly on the bench to show what he’s made of.
Captain Salmaan Moerat isn’t just there to add his rugged good looks; he’s marking his 50th start for the Stormers. He'll be locking down the scrum with Connor Evans, while Adré Smith and JD Schickerling prep for their second-half spectacle. Ruan Ackermann is also set for his initial start, teaming up with the ferocious Ben-Jason Dixon in the loose trio, with Evan Roos gearing up to jump in from the bench.
The backline sees a fresh duo with Imad Khan and Clinton Swart pairing up at halfback. Meanwhile, centers Dan du Plessis and Wandisile Simelane aim to break through Bayonne’s defenses, with Jonathan Roche ready to step in if needed. The back three remains unchanged from their victorious clash against Munster, featuring Warrick Gelant, Leolon Zas, and Dylan Maart, who are all set to turn up the heat once more.
"We are up against a team with an impressive home record and it will require a big performance to start this competition with a win away from home."
John Dobson, the Stormers' director of rugby, isn’t just there to look pretty in a suit. He’s dialed in on the challenges ahead: “We are excited about some of the new combinations and feel we are well set up to maintain full intensity for 80 minutes on Friday night.” The game is set to kick off at 10pm SA time, so set your alarms or stock up on caffeine, because this is one opener you won’t want to miss!
STORMERS – 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Clinton Swart, 9 Imad Khan, 8 Ruan Ackermann, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Connor Evans, 4 Salmaan Moerat (c), 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 JJ Kotzé, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu. Bench: 16 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Adré Smith, 20 JD Schickerling, 21 Evan Roos, 22 Dewaldt Duvenage, 23 Jonathan Roche.
2,193 posts
Hold on to your jerseys, folks! Ntuthuko Mchunu is about to storm the field in a Stormers jersey for the first time this Friday. The Springbok prop will strut his stuff in the Investec Champions Cup face-off against Bayonne at the Stade Jean Dauger. And guess who’s joining him? Neethling Fouche and JJ Kotze are lining up in the front row, while Lukhanyo Vokozela, another debutant, waits eagerly on the bench to show what he’s made of.
Captain Salmaan Moerat isn’t just there to add his rugged good looks; he’s marking his 50th start for the Stormers. He'll be locking down the scrum with Connor Evans, while Adré Smith and JD Schickerling prep for their second-half spectacle. Ruan Ackermann is also set for his initial start, teaming up with the ferocious Ben-Jason Dixon in the loose trio, with Evan Roos gearing up to jump in from the bench.
The backline sees a fresh duo with Imad Khan and Clinton Swart pairing up at halfback. Meanwhile, centers Dan du Plessis and Wandisile Simelane aim to break through Bayonne’s defenses, with Jonathan Roche ready to step in if needed. The back three remains unchanged from their victorious clash against Munster, featuring Warrick Gelant, Leolon Zas, and Dylan Maart, who are all set to turn up the heat once more.
"We are up against a team with an impressive home record and it will require a big performance to start this competition with a win away from home."
John Dobson, the Stormers' director of rugby, isn’t just there to look pretty in a suit. He’s dialed in on the challenges ahead: “We are excited about some of the new combinations and feel we are well set up to maintain full intensity for 80 minutes on Friday night.” The game is set to kick off at 10pm SA time, so set your alarms or stock up on caffeine, because this is one opener you won’t want to miss!
STORMERS – 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Clinton Swart, 9 Imad Khan, 8 Ruan Ackermann, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Connor Evans, 4 Salmaan Moerat (c), 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 JJ Kotzé, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu. Bench: 16 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Adré Smith, 20 JD Schickerling, 21 Evan Roos, 22 Dewaldt Duvenage, 23 Jonathan Roche.