Fouché leads DHL Stormers in Cardiff

Tighthead prop Neethling Fouché will lead the DHL Stormers in their final Vodacom URC league match of the season against Cardiff on Friday night.

Fouché takes over the captaincy with Deon Fourie sidelined with a knee injury and Ruhan Nel still recovering from a calf injury, as the DHL Stormers end the regular season at Cardiff Arms Park in a match that kicks off at 8.45pm (SAST).

There are just two changes to the forward pack, with Fouché starting in the front row and Paul de Villiers in at openside flank in place of Fourie.

Salmaan Moerat makes his return from injury on a replacements bench that also features hooker JJ Kotzé and loose forward Marcel Theunissen this week.

In the backline, there is an all-new midfield of Jonathan Roche and Wandisile Simelane, as Damian Willemse moves to fullback and Suleiman Hartzenberg comes in on the right wing.

Director of Rugby John Dobson said that his team will be going all-out to end the regular season with a win.

“We obviously would like to finish as high on the standings as possible and take some winning momentum into the play-offs but there are also some rotations to our team as we look to build maximum capacity ahead of the knock-outs.

“There were some lessons we took from our draw in Belfast last week, and we know it will take a big effort to get the better of what will be a desperate Cardiff team.

“Although we have already secured a home quarter-final, there is plenty to play for, and everyone is excited to meet the challenge at Cardiff Arms Park,” he said.

Cardiff Rugby head coach Corniel Van Zyl said: “We’ve been forced to make a few changes but we have named a strong team and we are fully focussed on putting the best version of ourselves on the Arms Park come Friday night.

“It is in our hands and a win would guarantee our place in the play-offs. That would be a great reward for the group and growth we have enjoyed this season but we know it’s a big challenge ahead.

“The Stormers are a top-quality team so we will need to be on top of our game. But we are at the Arms Park, where we have done really well this season and have enjoyed such incredible support.

“It’s going to be a brilliant night in the capital. We will fight for everything in front of our home fans and we are hoping for a big turn out to get behind us.”

DHL Stormers starting XV: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas; 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Imad Khan: 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Paul de Villiers; 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Adré Smith; 3 Neethling Fouché (capt), 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu. Replacements: 16 JJ Kotzé, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Salmaan Moerat, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Keke Morabe, 22 Stefan Ungerer, 23 Jurie Matthee.

FRIDAY

Cardiff Rugby v DHL Stormers

Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff – KO 7.45pm IRE & UK/8.45 ITA & SA

Live on: S4C, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU) 116th game

AR1: Ben Connor (WRU), AR2: Lucas Yendle (WRU)

TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU)