A new-look DHL Stormers side, captained by midfielder Ruhan Nel, will launch their Vodacom United Rugby Championship campaign on Friday night in a blockbuster clash against defending champions Leinster at a buzzing DHL Stadium in Cape Town.
With a host of Springboks unavailable and several key players sidelined by injury, Director of Rugby John Dobson has assembled a blend of seasoned campaigners and exciting young talent to face the Irish giants, who are also missing their British & Irish Lions contingent.
The leadership baton passes to the experienced Ruhan Nel, a trusted figure within the squad, who will spearhead the team in the absence of injured leaders Salmaan Moerat and Deon Fourie. “Ruhan was the natural choice… he is completely aligned with the coaching team in terms of the way we want to play,” Dobson stated.
The match is set to mark several key debuts, including former Gloucester flanker Ruan Ackermann and utility back Clinton Swart. However, the most talked-about selection is 19-year-old prop Olly Reid, who has earned a spot on the bench. Dobson has already drawn flattering comparisons, describing Reid as “Kitshoff-esque” for his resemblance to a young Steven Kitshoff. Reid is joined by other promising youngsters like Vernon Matongo and former SA U20 captain Zachary Porthen among the replacements.
The reshuffled backline sees Wandisile Simelane tasked with the fullback role, a position he has been vocal about in the past, with the pacy duo of Leolin Zas and Seabelo Senatla on the wings. The halfback pairing of Jurie Matthee and Stefan Ungerer will be crucial in steering the team’s tactics.
Despite the new faces, the pack retains a formidable look. The front row features the experienced Neethling Fouche alongside young Matongo and hooker Andre-Hugo Venter. The loose trio of Evan Roos, Ben-Jason Dixon, and the rising star Paul de Villiers promises to be a potent force.
After a full pre-season, Dobson expressed confidence in his patched-together squad. “There has been a lot of hard work put in… and we are all very excited to get going,” he said, acknowledging the challenge of facing the champions but drawing strength from the expected home support.
DHL Stormers Team:
15 Wandisile Simelane, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel (captain), 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Vernon Matongo.
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Olly Reid, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Ruben van Heerden, 20 Ruan Ackermann, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Dewaldt Duvenage, 23 Clinton Swart.
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