The Stormers have rolled the dice ahead of their Investec Champions Cup last-16 clash against Toulon, with Jurie Matthee handed the No 10 jersey.
Coach John Dobson has also continued with the experiment of Damian Willemse on the wing for Saturday’s showdown at Stade Mayol.
In a bold selection call, Matthee starts at No 10 in place of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who shifts to the bench.
MORE: Stormers, Bulls will have to defy the odds
There is a further boost in the backline with the return of Springbok scrumhalf Cobus Reinach from injury, forming a new halfback pairing with Matthee. Imad Khan provides cover at scrumhalf on the bench, alongside Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Wandisile Simelane.
Up front, Neethling Fouché and Oli Kebble are rewarded with starting roles after strong second-half impacts against Edinburgh, while Deon Fourie offers experienced cover from the bench in a role reminiscent of his World Cup final cameo.
HABANA: One battle to decide Stormers’ fate
Connor Evans partners Adré Smith in the second row, while Hacjivah Dayimani makes his first start since returning to the Stormers. He joins Paul de Villiers and Evan Roos in the loose trio, with Ben-Jason Dixon ruled out due to concussion.
Dobson expects a full-blooded contest in hostile territory.
“We have come up against Toulon in this competition before, so we know that we can expect intensity for 80 minutes on the pitch. What will be a new experience for us is to play at the Stade Felix Mayol, which is renowned for its unique atmosphere.
“We have picked a team that we feel can sustain a significant challenge from start to finish, and we are all looking forward to what should be a great occasion for rugby.”
STORMERS – 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Damian Willemse, 13 Ruhan Nel (c), 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Connor Evans, 4 Adré Smith, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Oli Kebble.
Bench: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 JD Schickerling, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Imad Khan, 22 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23 Wandisile Simelane.
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
The post Stormers bench Sacha, Reinach back appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The Stormers have rolled the dice ahead of their Investec Champions Cup last-16 clash against Toulon, with Jurie Matthee handed the No 10 jersey.
The post Stormers bench Sacha, Reinach back appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
