Maart to make his DHL Stormers debut in Limerick

Wing Dylan Maart will make his DHL Stormers debut in the table-topping Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash against Munster in Limerick on Saturday.

The only two unbeaten teams in the competition will square-off at Thomond Park.

Maart has joined the squad on loan and will have the experienced duo of Warrick Gelant and Leolin Zas at the back with him, while Wandisile Simelane and Ruhan Nel will link up in midfield.

Jurie Matthee and Stefan Ungerer are the halfback combination, with Dewaldt Duvenage and Clinton Swart the two backline replacements.

Salmaan Moerat will captain the team from the second row, with Connor Evans alongside him and the pairing of Adré Smith and JD Schickerling set to make an impact when they join the fray in the second half.

Neethling Fouché makes his return from injury and is joined in the front row by André-Hugo Venter and Vernon Matongo, with Oli Kebble set to make his first Stormers appearance since 2017 from a replacements bench which also features JJ Kotzé and Sazi Sandi.

Evan Roos, Marcel Theunissen and Paul de Villiers form the loose trio, while Ruan Ackermann is set to make an impact when he takes the field.

Director of Rugby John Dobson said that after a good break, his team is ready to give it a full go in Limerick.

“We have had the benefit of good preparation at home and we know it will take a big effort to win our first match at Thomond Park.

“We need to be on our game for the full 80 minutes against a good Munster side and hopefully we will be able to rise to the challenge to continue our winning start to the season,” he said.

DHL Stormers starting XV: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Ruhan Nel, 11 Leolin Zas; 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Stefan Ungerer; 8 Evan Roos, 7 Marcel Theunissen, 6 Paul de Villiers; 5 Connor Evans, 4 Salmaan Moerat (capt); 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Vernon Matongo. Replacements: 16 JJ Kotzé, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Adré Smith, 20 JD Schickerling, 21 Ruan Ackermann, 22 Dewaldt Duvenage, 23 Clinton Swart.

SATURDAY

Munster Rugby v DHL Stormers

Thomond Park, Limerick – KO 5.30pm IRE & UK/6.30pm ITA/7.30pm SA

Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR, 58th league game)

AR 1: Andrew Cole (IRFU) AR 2: Andrew Fogarty (IRFU)

TMO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)

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