Fouché reaches DHL Stormers century

Tighthead prop Neethling Fouché will bring up 100 appearances for the DHL Stormers in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship encounter with the Lions at DHL Stadium on Saturday as the Stormers look to make it nine consecutive wins this season.

Fouché is joined in the front row by fellow Springbok André-Hugo Venter and Vernon Matongo, while in the second row Ruben van Heerden returns from injury to start alongside captain Salmaan Moerat.

The only change to the loose trio sees Marcel Theunissen come into the starting line-up, with Springboks Ben-Jason Dixon and Ntuthuko Mchunu among the six forwards on the replacements bench.

Injuries to Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (groin) and Ruhan Nel (calf) have forced some changes to the backline, with Jurie Matthee back in at flyhalf and Jonathan Roche linking up with Wandisile Simelane in midfield.

Suleiman Hartzenberg is set to make his return from injury in the second half, with scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer the other back on the replacements bench.

Director of Rugby John Dobson said that his team is looking forward to being back at DHL Stadium.

“We have not played at DHL Stadium since early October and it is a big South African derby, so it should be a great day out for everyone.

“We have been disrupted by some injury concerns this week but have confidence that every player selected will rise to the occasion,” he said.

Dobson paid tribute to Fouché on reaching this significant milestone.

“The only other props to have reached 100 caps for the DHL Stormers are Brok Harris, Frans Malherbe and Steven Kitshoff. Neethling is close with all three of them and fully deserves his status alongside them as one of the most dedicated and passionate to have pulled on the jersey,” he said.

DHL Stormers starting XV: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas; 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Cobus Reinach; 8 Evan Roos, 7 Marcel Theunissen, 6 Paul de Villiers; 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Salmaan Moerat (capt); 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Vernon Matongo. Replacements: 16 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Adré Smith, 20 JD Schickerling, 21 Ben-Jason Dixon, 22 Stefan Ungerer, 23 Suleiman Hartzenberg.

Lions starting XV: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Erich Cronje, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Eduan Keyter; 10 Chris Smith, 9 Morne van den Berg; 8 Francke Horn (capt), 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Jarod Cairns; 5 Reinhard Nothnagel, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen; 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 SJ Kotze. Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Edward Davids, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Dylan Sjoblom, 20 Darrien Landsberg, 21 Siba Qoma, 22 Nico Steyn, 23 Richard Kriel.

SATURDAY

DHL Stormers v Lions

DHL Stadium, Cape Town – KO 1.30pm IRE & UK/2.30pm ITA/3.30pm SA

Referee: Hanru van Rooyen (SARU, league debut)

AR 1: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU) AR 2: Stephan Geldenhuys (SARU)

TMO: Quinton Immelman (SARU)

Live on: SuperSport, Premier Sports, TG4, Flo Rugby & URC.tv