Clayton Blommetjies is back at fullback, Damian Willemse is at centre and Evan Roos will begin for the primary time in weeks when the Stormers tackle Benetton of their closing pool stage United Rugby Championship match in Stellenbosch on Friday night time (kick off 630pm).
Also, scrumhalf Paul de Wet will play his fiftieth match for the Stormers, one thing he says he at all times dreamed about.
‘Always dreamed of this’
“I’m very excited, especially that it will come with us playing in Stellenbosch,” mentioned De Wet, who made his debut in 2017.
“I have played a lot of my rugby there, it’s a lovely pitch. To get to 50 caps for this team is something I have always dreamed of.”
The Stormers can be going all out to bag a full home of 5 log factors to present themselves their greatest likelihood of ending second — for dwelling benefit within the playoffs.
But, they may nonetheless be reliant on Edinburgh surprising Ulster (at present second) in Belfast, to safe second spot behind Leinster.
De Wet will once more begin forward of Bok No 9 Herschel Jantjies, a rivalry that’s bringing the very best out of the 2 scrumhalves.
“It’s good, tough competition with Herschel,” mentioned De Wet. “And I think it’s working well for the team, the fact we rotate so often … the coaches are no doubt getting what they want out of the players.”
Former Stormer Duvenhage
De Wet will come up towards former Stormers man and veteran scrumhalf of Benetton, Dewald Duvenhage on Friday.
“He was like my senior when I started out here, and he helped me a lot,” mentioned the previous Paarl Boys High and Stellenbosch University pupil.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge, I have a lot of respect for him … we also faced off last year.”
Also back is Angelo Davids and Ruhan Nel among the many replacements.
With Roos at No 8, Hacjivah Dayimani strikes to blindside flank.
There are two modifications to the entrance row, with prop Neethling Fouche and hooker JJ Kotze coming into the beginning line-up.
Stormers coach John Dobson mentioned that it was vital that everybody within the squad received sufficient sport time underneath the belt forward of the playoffs.
“We have made a number of rotational modifications to make it possible for everybody can be able to carry out within the knock-out section of the competitors.
“We want to raise our game and put in a confidence-building performance to take some momentum forward.”
In different URC video games this weekend, Ulster host Edinburgh, on Friday night time, and on Saturday the Lions face Zebre, the Bulls welcome Leinster, Dragons host Scarlets, the Sharks entertain Munster, Ospreys face Cardiff and Glasgow Warriors welcome Connacht.
Stormers: Clayton Blommetjies, Angelo Davids, Dan du Plessis, Damian Willemse, Seabelo Senatla, Manie Libbok, Paul de Wet, Evan Roos, Hacjivah Dayimani, Willie Engelbrecht, Marvin Orie, Ruben van Heerden, Neethling Fouche, JJ Kotze, Steven Kitshoff (capt). Bench: Joseph Dweba, Ali Vermaak, Frans Malherbe, Ernst van Rhyn, Ben-Jason Dixon, Marcel Theunissen, Herschel Jantjies, Ruhan Nel
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