Zas hits 100 in Stormers’ Vodacom URC opener

Wing Leolin Zas will play his 100th match for the DHL Stormers in their 26/27 Vodacom United Rugby Championship opener against Connacht in Galway on Friday night.

Lock Riley Norton, scrumhalves Andre Warner and Ezekiel Ngobeni and hooker Vernon Paulo are all set to debut for the Stormers at the Dexcom Stadium, with action getting underway at 8.45pm (SAST) on Friday.

Zas made his Stormers debut in 2016 and went on to be the team’s top try-scorer that season at the age of 19. He also topped the URC try-scoring charts when the Stormers claimed the inaugural title in the 21/22 season.

Zas is joined by fellow URC winners Seabelo Senatla and Warrick Gelant in an experienced back three, with captain Ruhan Nel alongside Jonathan Roche in midfield.

Warner partners Jurie Matthee at halfback, with Ngobeni and Yaqeen Ahmed the two backs on the replacements bench.

Hacjivah Dayimani starts at the back of the scrum, with Louw Nel and Evan Roos on the flanks and Marcel Theunissen among the replacements.

Norton starts alongside a fit-again JD Schickerling in the second row, with both Connor Evans and Adré Smith poised to make an impact in the second half.

In the front row, hooker André-Hugo Venter has props Neethling Fouché and Vernon Matongo either side of him, with Paulo set to feature from the replacements bench with props Olly Reid and Sazi Sandi.

Director of Rugby John Dobson said that with four debutants and a player hitting a century of caps, there is plenty of excitement within the group ahead of the first match of the new season.

“Leolin has been a stalwart in this team for so many years and has delivered so many incredible moments. He did not have things his own way and came back from serious injury to cement his place as one of the deadliest finishers to have played for the DHL Stormers.

“We also have the likes of Riley Norton, Vernon Paulo and Ezekiel Ngobeni making their first appearances of what should be long careers with us, while Andre Warner provides the benefit of experience in a crucial position. We are excited for all of them to show what they can do.

“We decided against playing Ben-Jason Dixon and Ntuthuko Mchunu in this match to give them further opportunity to recover from what has been a demanding schedule and be fresh enough to make maximum impact for us, ” he said.

Dobson added that his side needs an 80-minute effort to get the result in Galway.

“We know just how tough it is to win here. It will take everything we have from all 23 players to start this campaign with a win on the road,” he said.

Connacht Rugby head coach Stuart Lancaster said: “It’s great to finally get the season going after a long but positive pre-season. We feel like we’ve prepared well and now we’re looking forward to putting our best foot forward in front of our home supporters. Mack’s (Hansen) inclusion is obviously a big boost for us, and it’ll be a proud day for Francois (van Wyk) and Max (Flynn) too. We’re missing a good few through Irish selection and injury but it’s a strong 23, who we know will have to front up physically against what we’re expecting to be a strong Stormers side.”

DHL Stormers starting XV: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel (capt), 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas; 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Andre Warner; 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Louw Nel, 6 Evan Roos; 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Riley Norton; 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Vernon Matongo. Replacements: 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Olly Reid, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Adré Smith, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Ezekiel Ngobeni, 23 Yaqeen Ahmed.

FRIDAY

Connacht Rugby v DHL Stormers @ Dexcom Stadium, Galway – KO 7.45pm IRE & UK/8.45pm ITA & SA

Referee: Sam Grove-White (SRU, 63rd league game)

AR 1: Eoghan Cross (IRFU) AR 2: Tomas O’Sullivan (IRFU)

TMO: David Sutherland (SRU)

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