Scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer and flyhalf Jean-Luc du Plessis have been ruled out of the Stormers XXIII’s Currie Cup clash with the Vodacom Bulls XV at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.
It means that Ezekiel Ngobeni and Kyle Smith will direct the team as the halfback pairing, while a fit-again Luke Burger comes in at fullback in the only other backline change.
Ezekiel takes over the captaincy from Du Plessis.
Injuries to Gary Porter, Keke Morabe and Wandile Mlaba have forced a shuffle to the forward pack, with Divan Fuller and Xola Nyali starting alongside Louw Nel in the loose trio and Luan Botha set for his first start in the second row.
The Stormers are sixth on the log heading into the penultimate round and must win to keep their semi-final hopes alive. They face the Lions at Ellis Park in the final round. The winless Bulls are bottom.
NEL: Stormers ready for north-south war
Coach Tom Dawson-Squibb said that despite the injuries, his team is ready to embrace the occasion.
“A north-south [derby] at Loftus is a big game regardless of anyone’s position on the log, and we know that every player selected will be ready to give their best for the blue and white hoops on Friday.
“It has been a really good week of training, and we are excited to rise to the challenge that waits for us in Pretoria.”
STORMERS XXIII – 15 Luke Burger, 14 Joel Leotlela, 13 Markus Muller, 12 Cornel Smit, 11 Mfundo Ndhlovu, 10 Kyle Smith, 9 Ezekiel Ngobeni (c), 8 Divan Fuller, 7 Louw Nel, 6 Xola Nyali, 5 Luan Botha, 4 Tom Barnard, 3 Herman Lubbe, 2 Vernon Paulo, 1 Mhleli Khuzwayo.
Bench: 16 Altus Rabe, 17 Hencus van Wyk, 18 Danie Kruger, 19 Dylan de Leeuw, 20 Eric Basson, 21 Tiaan Fourie, 22 Dominic Malgas, 23 Gino Cupido.
Photo: Cole Cruickshank/Gallo Images
The post Stormers lose halfbacks for Loftus battle appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer and flyhalf Jean-Luc du Plessis have been ruled out of the Stormers XXIII’s Currie Cup clash with the Vodacom Bulls XV at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.
The post Stormers lose halfbacks for Loftus battle appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
