In an exciting development for rugby fans, Springbok stars Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Damian Willemse are set to make their return to the field this weekend. They have both been included in the starting lineup for the Stormers as they prepare to take on the Bulls in a highly anticipated match.
The Stormers, based in Cape Town, are thrilled by the comeback of these key players, who have recently recovered from injuries just in time for the United Rugby Championship (URC) clash at DHL Stadium on Saturday.
Fans can expect a thrilling atmosphere as the stadium is expected to be filled to capacity. This match holds special significance for Willemse, as he will reach a personal milestone—his 100th start wearing the Stormers jersey—playing in the important position of number 12.
In a dynamic midfield setup, he will team up with Wandisile Simelane, who plays outside him, while Feinberg-Mngomezulu will partner with fellow Springbok Cobus Reinach at half-back. The only alteration in the backline sees Suleiman Hartzenberg stepping into the starting position on the right wing after contributing from the bench in the previous victory over the Lions.
Turning to the forwards, Ali Vermaak takes his place as the loosehead prop, and there’s also a notable change in the locks where JD Schickerling joins captain Salmaan Moerat in the second row.
The loose trio sees Ruan Ackermann start as the openside flanker, while Paul de Villiers will be among the forwards who are ready to make an impact off the bench, alongside Adré Smith, Ruben van Heerden, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Sazi Sandi, and Lukhanyo Vokozela.
As Director of Rugby John Dobson remarked, the anticipation surrounding this match is palpable. "This is one of the largest club rugby matches globally and will take place before a sold-out crowd at DHL Stadium. It promises to be an unforgettable experience for all attending," he stated enthusiastically.
He emphasized the challenge ahead, noting that the team must perform at their utmost best to secure a win. "This is a challenge that every player and member of the management team is eager to embrace."
Currently, the Stormers are leading the URC standings with an impressive record of seven consecutive victories. In contrast, the Bulls find themselves struggling in 12th place.
Here’s how the Stormers will line up:
Stormers Starting XV:
15 Warrick Gelant
14 Suleiman Hartzenberg
13 Wandisile Simelane
12 Damian Willemse
11 Leolin Zas
10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
9 Cobus Reinach
8 Evan Roos
7 Ben-Jason Dixon
6 Ruan Ackermann
5 JD Schickerling
4 Salmaan Moerat (c)
3 Neethling Fouché
2 André-Hugo Venter
1 Ali Vermaak
Replacements:
16 Lukhanyo Vokozela
17 Ntuthuko Mchunu
18 Sazi Sandi
19 Adré Smith
20 Ruben van Heerden
21 Paul de Villiers
22 Stefan Ungerer
23 Jurie Matthee
Match Details:
- Venue: DHL Stadium, Cape Town
- Kick-off times:
- 16:00 IRE & UK
- 17:00 ITA
- 18:00 SA
- Referee: Griffin Colby (SARU, 10th league game)
- Assistant Referees: Morne Ferreira (SARU), Sean Muller (SARU)
- TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)
- Broadcasting: Live coverage available on SuperSport, Premier Sports, TG4, Flo Rugby, and URC TV.
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READ MORE: Check out our insights on Ulster vs. Munster, where Ireland’s international returns as captain, while the visiting team undergoes significant changes.
