URC: Stormers welcome back World Cup heroes against arch-rival Bulls

By SABC Sport
1st March 2024

Deon Fourie returns as captain of the Stormers for the United Rugby Championship North-South encounter with the Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday.

The experienced flank is joined by fellow Springboks Damian Willemse and Manie Libbok in making their return from a resting period for the South African derby, which kicks off at 17h05 on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld.

Round 11 of the URC is another Origin Round and will see the team wear the socks of their schools once again in tribute to all those who played such a key role in their rugby journey.

Dan du Plessis has recovered from an ankle injury and will take his place in midfield alongside Willemse, while Herschel Jantjies will partner Libbok at halfback.

There are just two changes to the starting forward pack that did duty in the win against the Sharks a fortnight ago, with Fourie on the side of the scrum and Sti Sithole in the front row at loosehead prop.

Brok Harris and Sazi Sandi are the props on a replacements bench which also features the likes of Marcel Theunissen and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who started in Durban.

Stormers Head Coach John Dobson said that his team is looking forward to what should be a great occasion.

"A North-South showdown at a packed Loftus Versfeld is something for everyone in South African rugby to get excited about and we are looking forward to playing our part.

"It is great to have some of our Boks back for this one and while we would have loved to include Frans Malherbe too, he will unfortunately need a little longer to be at the peak of his considerable powers.

"There were some tough selection decisions to make for this game and the players involved are all up for what should be another classic," he said.

DHL Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Ben Loader, 13 Dan du Plessis, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Evan Roos, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Sti Sithole.

Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Salmaan Moerat, 20 Ben-Jason Dixon, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.