By SABC Sport
14th April 2023
Coach John Dobson has made three changes to the Stormers' starting forward pack and one in the backline as the reigning URC champs look to bounce back from their disappointing Champions Cup exit against Exeter Chiefs last weekend.
Counting in their favour is their spectacular home record at the Cape Town Stadium, which has seen them go undefeated in 19 straight matches.
The Stormers resume their URC campaign at 18h15 on Saturday when they host the Irish side in the penultimate match of the league phase of the season.
Gates at DHL Stadium open at 14h00, with Western Province up against the Cheetahs in a Currie Cup match at 15h00 before the United Rugby Championship clash.
The only change to the backline sees Paul de Wet start at scrumhalf in a rotational switch with Herschel Jantjies, who will feature off the replacements bench.
In the forward pack, Ruben van Heerden partners Marvin Orie in the second row, while Hacjivah Dayimani and Willie Engelbrecht join Ben-Jason Dixon to form the loose trio.
Good news for the Stormers is that Springbok powerhouse Evan Roos is also set to make his return from injury from the replacements bench.
Roos injured his medial cruciate ligament in the Stormers' Round 13 defeat to Ulster back in late January.
Dobson said that his team are looking forward to playing at home as they look to make it 20 consecutive wins at DHL Stadium.
"We have had some incredible support at home this season and we know that it will be another special atmosphere on Saturday.
"This is a great opportunity for us to build some momentum as we head towards the play-offs," the coach said.
DHL Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Seabelo Seabelo, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Willie Engelbrecht, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain).
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Ernst van Rhyn, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Evan Roos, 22 Herschel Jantjies, 23 Clayton Blommetjies.