Backline boost for DHL Stormers against Dragons

Backline stars Seabelo Senatla and Dan du Plessis make their return from injury for the DHL Stormers against Dragons RFC at DHL Stadium on Sunday.

The Stormers take on the Welsh side in a Vodacom United Rugby Championship encounter at 3pm on Sunday before the DHL Stormers XXIII face the Seattle Seawolves in a friendly at 5.15pm.

Seabelo Senatla is on the right wing and will link up with fullback Damian Willemse, whose place at inside centre has been taken by Dan du Plessis. The only other change to the backline sees Imad Khan start at scrumhalf, with Stefan Ungerer and Wandisile Simelane the two backs on the replacements bench.

Evan Roos returns from the injury that kept him out of action last week, so Marcel Theunissen shifts to the flank with Ben-Jason Dixon set to make an impact in the second half.

There are two changes to the front row, with Vernon Matongo and JJ Kotzé in the starting line-up this week.

Director of Rugby John Dobson said that it is vital for his team to back up their win in Pretoria last week with a strong performance at home.

“We are back at DHL Stadium this week and want to make that count. Last week’s performance was very encouraging, but we need to build on that and keep moving forward.

“We have got some quality players coming back into the mix, and we are excited to see how some of the combinations go in what should be a tough game against a good Dragons side,” he said.

DHL Stormers starting XV: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel (capt), 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas; 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Imad Khan; 8 Evan Roos, 7 Marcel Theunissen, 6 Deon Fourie; 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Adré Smith; 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 JJ Kotzé, 1 Vernon Matongo. Replacements: 16 André-Hugo Venter, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Ben-Jason Dixon, 20 Paul de Villiers, 21 Hacjivah Dayimani, 22 Stefan Ungerer, 23 Wandisile Simelane.

SUNDAY

DHL Stormers v Dragons RFC

DHL Stadium, Cape Town – KO 1pm IRE & UK/2pm ITA/3pm SA

Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU, 114th league game)

AR 1: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU) AR 2: Sean Muller (SARU)

TMO: Robbie Jenkinson (IRFU)

Live on: SuperSport, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv