The Stormers are shaking things up for their upcoming clash against Ulster in Belfast this Friday. With captain Ruhan Nel sidelined by a calf injury, there’s a reshuffle in the backline that sees Damian Willemse shifting from fullback to inside centre, and Dan du Plessis stepping into the 13 jersey. Warrick Gelant is back as the No 15. Cobus Reinach’s injury gives Imad Khan the nod at scrumhalf, while Deon Fourie, celebrating his 140th cap, takes on the captaincy and the openside flank role.
In the front row, Sazi Sande is in for Neethling Fouché, who is left out of the matchday squad. The bench sees a 6-2 split favoring forwards, with Stefan Ungerer and Jurie Mathee on standby for backline duties. This lineup alteration follows the team’s commanding performance against the Glasgow Warriors at Cape Town Stadium two weeks prior.
"We have been forced to make a few changes, but we are excited about what this team can do and we know it will take the best of us to get the win,"
explained John Dobson, Stormers' director of rugby. His team, currently leading the league, faces critical matches against Ulster and Cardiff in the coming weeks to round out the league stage of the competition. With the playoffs looming, every match is pivotal.
Meanwhile, Ulster is riding high after securing a spot in the EPCR Challenge Cup final with a victory over Exeter last Saturday, bolstered by former Stormers No 8 Juarno Augustus.
Dobson’s squad for Friday includes: Warrick Gelant at fullback, with Wandisile Simelane and Leolin Zas on the wings. Willemse partners with Dan du Plessis in the centres and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at fly-half. The forward pack comprises Evan Roos, Ben-Jason Dixon, and the veteran Deon Fourie, alongside Ruben van Heerden and Adré Smith in the lock positions, and a front row of Sazi Sandi, André-Hugo Venter, and Ntuthuko Mchunu. The bench features Paul de Villiers, Oli Kebble, Zachary Porthen, Connor Evans, Hacjivah Dayimani, Keke Morabe, Stefan Ungerer, and Jurie Mathee.
This strategic shuffle by the Stormers underscores the intense competition and high stakes as the season progresses, with each game potentially reshaping the playoff landscape.
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The Stormers are shaking things up for their upcoming clash against Ulster in Belfast this Friday. With captain Ruhan Nel sidelined by a calf injury, there’s a reshuffle in the backline that sees Damian Willemse shifting from fullback to inside centre, and Dan du Plessis stepping into the 13 jersey. Warrick Gelant is back as the No 15. Cobus Reinach’s injury gives Imad Khan the nod at scrumhalf, while Deon Fourie, celebrating his 140th cap, takes on the captaincy and the openside flank role.
In the front row, Sazi Sande is in for Neethling Fouché, who is left out of the matchday squad. The bench sees a 6-2 split favoring forwards, with Stefan Ungerer and Jurie Mathee on standby for backline duties. This lineup alteration follows the team’s commanding performance against the Glasgow Warriors at Cape Town Stadium two weeks prior.
"We have been forced to make a few changes, but we are excited about what this team can do and we know it will take the best of us to get the win,"
explained John Dobson, Stormers' director of rugby. His team, currently leading the league, faces critical matches against Ulster and Cardiff in the coming weeks to round out the league stage of the competition. With the playoffs looming, every match is pivotal.
Meanwhile, Ulster is riding high after securing a spot in the EPCR Challenge Cup final with a victory over Exeter last Saturday, bolstered by former Stormers No 8 Juarno Augustus.
Dobson’s squad for Friday includes: Warrick Gelant at fullback, with Wandisile Simelane and Leolin Zas on the wings. Willemse partners with Dan du Plessis in the centres and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at fly-half. The forward pack comprises Evan Roos, Ben-Jason Dixon, and the veteran Deon Fourie, alongside Ruben van Heerden and Adré Smith in the lock positions, and a front row of Sazi Sandi, André-Hugo Venter, and Ntuthuko Mchunu. The bench features Paul de Villiers, Oli Kebble, Zachary Porthen, Connor Evans, Hacjivah Dayimani, Keke Morabe, Stefan Ungerer, and Jurie Mathee.
This strategic shuffle by the Stormers underscores the intense competition and high stakes as the season progresses, with each game potentially reshaping the playoff landscape.