The DHL Stormers will take the field at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday with a formidable array of national talent, as nine Springboks have been named in the starting lineup for theirInvestec Champions Cup clash against two-time champions Stade Rochelais.
The match, scheduled for 15:30, is one of the most anticipated fixtures of the pool stage, and the Stormers fresh off a 26–17 away win over Bayonne, are bolstering their ranks with returning stars.
You don't want to miss out on this one. Come watch Sacha and his teammates cook at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.
Warrick Gelant’s recovery from illness restores stability and counter-attacking quality to the backfield. He is joined by wings Dylan Maart and Leolin Zas, who continue to offer pace and finishing ability. Damian Willemse has been rested due to a slight hamstring niggle but is expected to return next week.
The midfield sees experienced centre Ruhan Nel reunited with Jonathan Roche, while Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and veteran scrumhalf Cobus Reinach form a halfback pairing capable of dictating tempo and territorial pressure.
Who else is looking forward to seeing this guy in action for us in Gqeberha this weekend?
Evan Roos, influential off the bench last week, returns to the No. 8 jersey. Alongside Ben-Jason Dixon and Paul de Villiers, the loose trio is expected to play a crucial role in both breakdown intensity and defensive organisation.
In the tight five, locks JD Schickerling and captain Salmaan Moerat provide continuity and lineout strength. André-Hugo Venter starts at hooker, flanked by Springbok props Ntuthuko Mchunu and Neethling Fouché.
The bench offers significant depth, with JJ Kotzé, Connor Evans, Ruan Ackermann, Imad Khan and Wandisile Simelane, all starters in Bayonne, joined by experienced forwards Oli Kebble, Sazi Sandi and Marcel Theunissen.
Director of Rugby John Dobson emphasised the challenge ahead:
“It was great to win away from home, but we have to back that up now and we know that it will take a big effort against a highly physical Stade Rochelais team. We always get such fantastic support in Gqeberha… we’re looking forward to a match with Test match intensity.
The final squad list will be officially confirmed by EPCR at 14:00 on Friday, with changes still permitted before the deadline.
Our team for the Investec Champions Cup match against Stade Rochelais in Gqeberha on Saturday.
The Stormers have never beaten the Ospreys in the United Rugby Championhip (URC). On Friday night at DHL Stadium, John Dobson’s men intend to smash that hoodoo.
Fresh off a 35-0 demolition of defending champions Leinster, the Capetonians know there’s no room for complacency.
“We saw how well Ospreys played in Pretoria and we know our record against them is a draw and two losses,” Dobson warned.
“The feeling is one of desperation to back up last week because you don’t want it to be a fluke.”
“If something goes wrong [against the Ospreys], we’d have to win every game on tour. So it’s very, very important from that point of view.”
With props Ali Vermaak and Sazi Sandi set for their first outings of the season, the Stormers want another statement win before their European road trip
“While we were happy with the result last week, we know that there can be no complacency heading into this match against an Ospreys side that have proven tough customers for us in the past,” Dobson stressed.
The Stormers know they must strike hard and early to exorcise their Ospreys ghost. Victory would not only break the hoodoo but also give them a flying start before Europe beckons.
The Vodacom Bulls will face Leinster in a United Rugby Championship clash at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday without two of their backline sparks, Jan Serfontein and Cheswill Jooste, both injured in last week’s 53–40 shootout against the Ospreys.
Harold Vorster steps in at inside centre, with Sebastian de Klerk moving to the wing and Stravino Jacobs recalled. In the pack, Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg retains the No 4 jersey after covering for Cobus Wiese’s HIA, while Sintu Manjezi joins the bench.
Bulls coach Johan Ackermann expects Leinster to arrive wounded but dangerous after their 35–0 defeat to the Stormers.
