Mchunu to make Stormers debut in Bayonne

Springbok prop Ntuthuko Mchunu will make his DHL Stormers debut in the Investec Champions Cup opener against Bayonne on Friday evening.

The DHL Stormers get their campaign underway at the Stade Jean Dauger, with kick-off at 10pm (SAST) on Friday.

Mchunu is joined in the front row by Neethling Fouché and JJ Kotzé, with hooker Lukhanyo Vokozela also set to make his Stormers debut from the replacements bench.

Captain Salmaan Moerat makes his 50th start for the team as he partners Connor Evans at lock, with Adré Smith and JD Schickerling set to make an impact in the second half once again.

Ruan Ackermann makes his first Stormers start in a loose trio that also features Springbok Ben-Jason Dixon, with Evan Roos among the replacements.

Imad Khan and Clinton Swart form an all-new halfback pairing, while Dan du Plessis joins Wandisile Simelane in midfield, with Jonathan Roche providing cover.

The back three that did duty in the win against Munster last week is unchanged as Warrick Gelant links up with wings Leolon Zas and Dylan Maart.

Director of Rugby John Dobson said that his team understands the magnitude of the challenge in Bayonne.

“We are up against a team with an impressive home record and it will require a big performance to start this competition with a win away from home.

“We are excited about some of the new combinations and feel we are well set up to maintain full intensity for 80 minutes on Friday night,” he said.

DHL Stormers starting XV: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas; 10 Clinton Swart, 9 Imad Khan; 8 Ruan Ackermann, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Paul de Villiers; 5 Connor Evans, 4 Salmaan Moerat (capt); 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 JJ Kotzé, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu. 16 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Adré Smith, 20 JD Schickerling, 21 Evan Roos, 22 Dewaldt Duvenage, 23 Jonathan Roche.

Investec Champions Cup

Aviron Bayonnais v DHL Stormers - Friday @ Stade Jean Dauger, Bayonne (10pm)

Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)

TV: SuperSport

---

Tickets for all Stormers matches are now sold and managed via the stormers.co.za website and the Stormers App.

There are currently five Stormers home matches on sale. Book your place now!

13 December v Stade Rochelais at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (3pm)

20 December v Lions at DHL Stadium (3.30pm)

3 January v Vodacom Bulls at DHL Stadium (6pm)

17 January v Leicester Tigers at DHL Stadium (5.15pm)

24 January v Hollywoodbets Sharks at DHL Stadium (7.30pm)

Step One: Register an account

• All those wishing to buy tickets and attend Stormers matches must register an account on stormers.co.za. Click on Tickets, then click on the head and shoulders icon at the top-right corner on stormers.tmtickets.co.za. Select ‘register’ below the log-in and create a profile.

• Please note, this is separate to any account that may have been held on Ticketmaster platforms previously.

Step Two: Buy your tickets

• Once you have registered an account and signed in on stormers.tmtickets.co.za, you can book and pay for your tickets. You will then receive a booking confirmation email with details of your booking.

Step Three: Download the App

• The Stormers App can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. You must sign into the App with the same email address and password that you used to set up your account on the website.

• Your tickets will then be accessible in the tickets tab on the App and can be added to your phone’s wallet. Only tickets on the App or your phone’s wallet will be accepted and scanned at the gates.

• Tickets can also be bought or transferred via the App.

Step Four: Transfer tickets

• Tickets can be transferred to other account holders using the App.

• Go to the tickets tab in the app, click on the tickets and go to ‘Manage Tickets’.

• Select the tickets you would like to transfer, then click on ‘forward to a friend’.

• You will need to add the recipient to your network by either selecting the person in your network (previously added) or search for them outside your network if you haven’t added them before, using their account email address and membership number.

• Membership numbers can be found in the settings tab in the app or by opening the ‘head and shoulders’ on stormers.tmtickets.co.za. Once logged in, the membership number is next to your name.

• Review your order and confirm transfer of the tickets.