Depleted Stormers back rookie flyhalf in backline reshuffle
Today at 07:12 AM
John Dobson has made several injury enforced changes to the Stormers team for Saturday's URC clash against the Bulls at Cape Town Stadium.
The Stormers have had to reshuffle their backline for their rescheduled match against the Bulls due to injuries to the likes of Ruhan Nel (shoulder), Manie Libbok (knee) and Suleiman Hartzenberg (hand) along with long-time absence of Damian Willemse and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
Wandisile Simelane is in midfield with the fit-again Dan du Plessis, while there is an all-new halfback pairing of Matthee and Stefan Ungerer.
The loose trio is unchanged, while in the second row captain Salmaan Moerat lines up alongside Ruben van Heerden and up front props Frans Malherbe and Sti Sithole start with Fouche and Vermaak sidelined.
Director of Rugby John Dobson said that having focused on this match for the last fortnight, his team are determined to rise to the occasion.
"These matches are always high-octane affairs and the fact that we are playing at a packed DHL Stadium will elevate it on all fronts.
"We have lost some key players to injury, but we back the guys coming in and are looking forward to seeing what they can offer.
"We are incredibly grateful for the support we enjoy and want to make the most of the opportunity to repay our fans with a top performance on Saturday," he said.
Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Ben Loader, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Salmaan Moerat (captain), 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Sti Sithole.
Subs: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Gary Porter, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Jonathan Roche, 23 Clayton Blommetjies.
WHO WILL WIN THE CLASH BETWEEN THE STORMERS AND BULLS?
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