Hold onto your hats, folks, because Evan Roos is strapping back into his boots, reuniting with Ben-Jason Dixon and Paul de Villiers in the Stormers' loose-trio for a redemption round against the Sharks in the Vodacom URC. After a less-than-stellar performance last weekend, the Stormers are shaking things up, and not just in the back row. There’s a whole lotta chair shuffling in the backline with Jonathan Roche stepping in at inside centre, pushing Damian Willemse to fullback—a move that might just put the wind back in their sails.
Willemse’s switch to number 15 isn’t just about changing scenery; it’s tactical. He’s there to put a lid on Sharks' skipper Andre Esterhuizen, who's been tearing it up. The spotlight’s on Roche though, as he’s handed the hefty task of keeping Esterhuizen in check. Meanwhile, Dylan Maart will be dashing down the right wing, adding fresh legs in one of three pivotal changes to the starting backline. As for the impact players, keep an eye out for Stefan Ungerer, Jurie Matthee, and Warrick Gelant, who are itching to jump off the bench.
In the trenches, Oli Kebble takes up the mantle as loosehead prop, while Ruben van Heerden and a now-fit Adre Smith lock down... well, the locks. Roos, making a comeback at No. 8 after sitting out last week, is surely eager to stir up some dust.
“Playing back-to-back derbies against the same opposition is a fairly unique situation and we are desperate to put in a more convincing performance than we managed at home last week,”
said Stormers director of rugby John Dobson. With injuries now in the rearview, the team’s bolstered and brimming with the kind of energy that only a home crowd can ignite.
“We have been boosted by the return from injury of some key players, and you can be sure that all 23 will be going out there to show what it means to play in our jersey for our fans.”
As the weekend warriors line up, the Stormers will hit the field with Damian Willemse at 15, Dylan Maart at 14, Wandisile Simelane at 13, Jonathan Roche at 12, Leolin Zas at 11, captain Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at 10, and Cobus Reinach scrumming down at 9. The forwards pack a punch with Evan Roos at 8, Ben-Jason Dixon at 7, Paul de Villiers at 6, Ruben van Heerden at 5, Adre Smith at 4, Neethling Fouche at 3, Andre-Hugo Venter at 2, and Oli Kebble at 1. On the bench, it’s JJ Kotze, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Zachary Porthen, JD Schickerling, Marcel Theunissen, Stefan Ungerer, Jurie Matthee, and Warrick Gelant ready to rumble. Get ready, rugby fans, this is going
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Hold onto your hats, folks, because Evan Roos is strapping back into his boots, reuniting with Ben-Jason Dixon and Paul de Villiers in the Stormers' loose-trio for a redemption round against the Sharks in the Vodacom URC. After a less-than-stellar performance last weekend, the Stormers are shaking things up, and not just in the back row. There’s a whole lotta chair shuffling in the backline with Jonathan Roche stepping in at inside centre, pushing Damian Willemse to fullback—a move that might just put the wind back in their sails.
Willemse’s switch to number 15 isn’t just about changing scenery; it’s tactical. He’s there to put a lid on Sharks' skipper Andre Esterhuizen, who's been tearing it up. The spotlight’s on Roche though, as he’s handed the hefty task of keeping Esterhuizen in check. Meanwhile, Dylan Maart will be dashing down the right wing, adding fresh legs in one of three pivotal changes to the starting backline. As for the impact players, keep an eye out for Stefan Ungerer, Jurie Matthee, and Warrick Gelant, who are itching to jump off the bench.
In the trenches, Oli Kebble takes up the mantle as loosehead prop, while Ruben van Heerden and a now-fit Adre Smith lock down... well, the locks. Roos, making a comeback at No. 8 after sitting out last week, is surely eager to stir up some dust.
“Playing back-to-back derbies against the same opposition is a fairly unique situation and we are desperate to put in a more convincing performance than we managed at home last week,”
said Stormers director of rugby John Dobson. With injuries now in the rearview, the team’s bolstered and brimming with the kind of energy that only a home crowd can ignite.
“We have been boosted by the return from injury of some key players, and you can be sure that all 23 will be going out there to show what it means to play in our jersey for our fans.”
As the weekend warriors line up, the Stormers will hit the field with Damian Willemse at 15, Dylan Maart at 14, Wandisile Simelane at 13, Jonathan Roche at 12, Leolin Zas at 11, captain Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at 10, and Cobus Reinach scrumming down at 9. The forwards pack a punch with Evan Roos at 8, Ben-Jason Dixon at 7, Paul de Villiers at 6, Ruben van Heerden at 5, Adre Smith at 4, Neethling Fouche at 3, Andre-Hugo Venter at 2, and Oli Kebble at 1. On the bench, it’s JJ Kotze, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Zachary Porthen, JD Schickerling, Marcel Theunissen, Stefan Ungerer, Jurie Matthee, and Warrick Gelant ready to rumble. Get ready, rugby fans, this is going