The Stormers have made three injury-enforced changes to their team for Saturday’s Vodacom URC semi-final against Leinster in Dublin.
Flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (ankle) and wing Seabelo Senatla (concussion) had already been ruled out of the trip to Ireland.
Adding to their injury woes, lock Ruben van Heerden, who did travel with the squad, has failed to recover from a head knock, with Connor Evans coming in to partner Adré Smith in the second row.
As expected, backup flyhalf Jurie Matthee steps into the No 10 jersey, while Wandisile Simelane replaces Senatla.
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There is just one change to the bench, with fullback Warrick Gelant providing backline cover alongside reserve scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer.
“This will be a big challenge for everyone involved against a team with a great pedigree and formidable home record, but these are the occasions we live for, and I have no doubt that our team will put in a worthy performance,” said director of rugby John Dobson.
“We lost a few players last week, but those coming in have all played important roles in this campaign and are ready to give their all on Saturday.”
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Captain Ruhan Nel and his midfield partner Dan du Plessis, who recovered from a knock to the knee in the quarter-final against Cardiff, will become the most-capped Stormers centre pairing with 31 starts, overtaking De Wet Barry and Marius Joubert.
STORMERS – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Wandisile Simelane, 13 Ruhan Nel (c), 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Imad Khan, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Connor Evans, 4 Adré Smith, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Bench: 16 JJ Kotzé, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Salmaan Moerat, 20 Ruan Ackermann, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Stefan Ungerer, 23 Warrick Gelant.
Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images
The post Injury-hit Stormers suffer another blow appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The Stormers have made three injury-enforced changes to their team for Saturday’s Vodacom URC semi-final against Leinster in Dublin.
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