Stormers start play-off charge in Glasgow

The DHL Stormers take on Glasgow Warriors in a Vodacom United Rugby Championship quarter-final at Scotstoun on Friday.

Having finished the regular season in fifth position, the Stormers face the defending champions in Glasgow, with kick-off at 8.35pm SA time on Friday night.

Warrick Gelant will link up with Seabelo Senatla and Ben Loader in a potent back three, with Suleiman Hartzenberg forming a midfield partnership with Dan du Plessis in the absence of the suspended Damian Willemse.

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Stefan Ungerer will continue as the halfback pairing with the experienced Herschel Jantjies and Manie Libbok set to make an impact in the second half from the replacements bench.

Evan Roos resumes his place at the back of the scrum, with Marcel Theunissen and Paul de Villiers on the flanks and Louw Nel among the replacements.

Captain Salmaan Moerat starts alongside Ruben van Heerden in the second row, with locks JD Schickerling and Connor Evans among the six forwards set to feature after half-time.

Andre-Hugo Venter starts at hooker, with props Ali Vermaak and Neethling Fouche either side of him, with Vernon Matongo, Joseph Dweba and Sazi Sandi the front row forwards on the replacements bench.

Director of Rugby John Dobson said that following a good week in Glasgow his team is ready to give it a full go at Scotstoun.

“The build-up to this game has gone well and we know that it will take a huge effort to beat a good Glasgow team on their home track.

“We have built up some good momentum recently and want to take that into this game. This was a very tough team to pick with some deserving players missing out but we are excited to see what these combinations can do,” he said.

Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith said: “The DHL Stormers will pose one of the most dangerous attacking threats in the competition tomorrow night and we know that we must be at our best to meet the challenge they will bring. They have the ability to hurt any team with ball in hand, mixing a physical forward pack with a backline that can spark something from anywhere. We know how special an atmosphere Scotstoun can provide on nights like these and we know the Warrior Nation will make themselves heard tomorrow night.”

Glasgow Warriors starting XV: 15 Josh McKay, 14 Kyle Rowe, 13 Stafford McDowall, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Kyle Steyn (capt); 10 Tom Jordan, 9 George Horn; 8 Henco Venter, 7 Rory Darge, 6 Euan Ferrie; 5 Scott Cummings, 4 Alex Samuel; 3 Murphy Walker, 2 Gregor Hiddleston, 1 Jamie Bhatti. Replacements: 16 Johnny Matthews, 17 Nathan McBeth, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Max Williamson, 20 Jack Mann, 21 Macenzzie Duncan, 22 Jamie Dobie, 23 Adam Hastings.

DHL Stormers starting XV: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Ben Loader, 13 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Seabelo Senatla; 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Stefan Ungerer; 8 Evan Roos, 7 Marcel Theunissen, 6 Paul de Villiers; 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Salmaan Moerat (capt); 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Ali Vermaak. Replacements: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 JD Schickerling, 20 Connor Evans, 21 Louw Nel, 22 Herschel Jantjies, 23 Manie Libbok.

FRIDAY

Glasgow Warriors v DHL Stormers @ Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow – KO 7.35pm IRE & UK/8.35pm ITA & SA

Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU, 106th league game)

AR 1: Ben Whitehouse (WRU) AR 2: Ben Breakspear (WRU)

TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU)

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