Stormers change it up for Sharks clash in Durban

There are several changes to the DHL Stormers matchday squad for the Vodacom URC encounter with the Hollywoodbets Sharks in Durban on Saturday.

The Stormers will be looking to head into a four-week break with some winning momentum as they take on the Kwa-Zulu Natal outfit at Hollywoodbets Kings Park at 5pm on Saturday.

Damian Willemse lines up at fullback this week, with Jonathan Roche at inside centre and Dylan Maart on the right wing in the three changes to the starting backline. Stefan Ungerer, Jurie Matthee and Warrick Gelant are the backs set to make an impact from the replacements bench in the second half.

Up front Oli Kebble starts at loosehead prop and there is an all-new lock pairing of Ruben van Heerden and a fit-again Adré Smith.

In the loose trio Evan Roos makes his return at the back of the scrum, while props Ntuthuko Mchunu and Zachary Porthen and lock JD Schickerling are among the replacements this week.

Director of Rugby John Dobson said that his team will be going all-out to take an away win into the upcoming break.

“Playing back-to-back derbies against the same opposition is a fairly unique situation and we are desperate to put in a more convincing performance than we managed at home last week.

“We have been boosted by the return from injury of some key players, and you can be sure that all 23 will be going out there to show what it means to play in our jersey for our fans,” he said.

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

SATURDAY

Hollywoodbets Sharks v DHL Stormers

Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban – KO 3pm IRE & UK/4pm ITA/5pm SA

Referee: Christopher Allison (SARU, 7th league game)

AR 1: Griffin Colby (SARU) AR 2: Jonathan Lottering (SARU)

TMO: Quinton Immelman (SARU)

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