Stormers at full strength for La Rochelle clash as Bulls rest key figures in Lyon

The Stormers and Bulls have named their sides to do battle in the second round of the Investec Champions Cup this weekend, with the Capetonians hosting the reigning champions while the Bulls make the trip to Lyon.

Stormers bring in star power for La Rochelle

The Stormers have picked their strongest possible side to do battle at the DHL Stadium on Saturday.

Experienced loose forward Deon Fourie will lead them out to face the two-time champions at 15h00.

Wing Ben Loader, the only player in the starting line-up against Leicester Tigers last week, is joined by Leolin Zas and Warrick Gelant in a potent back three, while Ruhan Nel and Damian Willemse will link up in midfield.

Springboks Manie Libbok and Herschel Jantjies form the halfback pairing, while Paul de Wet and Courtnall Skosan are the backs on the replacements bench.

Captain Fourie is joined by Evan Roos and Hacjivah Dayimani in the loose trio, while both Ben-Jason Dixon and Marcel Theunissen will be ready to make an impact in the second half.

Ruben van Heerden and Adre Smith are in the second row, with Connor Evans among the replacements and up front, props Neethling Fouche and Ali Vermaak start either side of hooker Joseph Dweba, while Sti Sithole, Brok Harris and Andre-Hugo Venter will be on the replacements bench.

Stormers Head Coach John Dobson said that his side can't wait to get out there at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

"This is our first game this season at DHL Stadium and we are up against the defending champions in the Investec Champions Cup, so excitement levels are high.

"This team has been preparing for this game since last week, so hopefully we can reward our fans with a good performance. We know we will have to be at our best to get the result we need," he said.

DHL Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Ben Loader, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Deon Fourie (captain), 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Ali Vermaak.

Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Brok Harris, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Ben-Jason Dixon, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Courtnall Skosan.

Bulls rest key players for Lyon trip

Meanwhile, Bulls utility back Henry Immelman will make his long-awaited debut for the Tshwane-based outfit when they run out at the Matmut Stadium, southeast of Paris in Lyon.

Immelman will make his debut on the right wing for the clash against Lyon on Saturday, which kicks off at 19h30 South African Time.

The 28-year-old is one of many new faces in the squad with Bulls coach Jake White opting to rest his front-line players for the one-week trip to Europe, including Kurt-Lee Arendse, Willie le Roux, Canan Moodie, Johan Goosen and captain Elrigh Louw.

Henry will partner up with Sergeal Petersen on the left wing, with Harold Vorster and Lionel Mapoe combining as the centre pairing of the day. Vorster returns to full-match fitness since being side-lined by a foot niggle two months ago. Devon Williams starts at fullback having consistently impressed since joining the team at Loftus.

Zak Burger starts at scrumhalf with Chris Smith wearing the No 10 jersey as the halfback duo take their places behind a forward pack that will feature the likes of Simphiwe Matanzima, Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Mornay Smith at front row.

Bulls: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Henry Immelman, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Sergeal Petersen, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Marcell Coetzee (c), 7 Mpilo Gumede, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Janko Swanepoel, 4 Deon Slabbert, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 1 Simphiwe Matanzima.

Replacements: 16 Tiaan Lange, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 JF van Heerden, 20 Merwe Olivier, 21 Bernard van der Linde, 22 Jaco van der Walt, 23 Sebastian de Klerk.

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