The concussion that has ruled lock Gary Porter out of Saturday’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash with the Cell C Sharks at the DHL Stadium should be seen as a big blow for the DHL Stormers.
It means they have had to rejig the second row that has worked well for them in the last two derby fixtures, with former Sharks player Ruben van Heerden now in the less familiar position of No 5 lock to accommodate Ernst van Rhyn as his second row partner. Ben-Jason Dixon’s selection on the blindside flank might be directed around the lock change as he has experience of calling the lineouts from that position.
The Stormers pack laid the foundation for their big win over the Sharks in Durban four weeks ago but there have been four changes made to the forward unit that last played, which was against the Vodacom Bulls two weeks ago. Not that the return of Ali Vermaak and Joseph Dweba to partner Neethling Fouche in the front row will be seen as any kind of backward step in the area where the Stormers were particularly dominant in Durban - the set scrums.
With veteran Brok Harris and Sazi Sandi, plus the fit again hooker JJ Kotze backing up, the Stormers will also feel they have plenty of front-row depth. Jason-Dixon's selection at flank is the other forward change.
6? changes to our starting line-up for the @Vodacom #URC coastal clash at DHL Stadium on Saturday.
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) March 3, 2023
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Stormers coach John Dobson has made six changes in all for the coastal derby, which the Stormers need to win to retain their degree of comfort in their battle with Ulster for second position on the overall log.
Angelo Davids comes in for Suleiman Hartzenberg on the right wing, with Hartzenberg set to make an impact off the bench, while Paul de Wet comes back in the No 9 jersey for Herschel Jantjies, who is also on the bench. Dobson has reverted this week to a traditional five/three split between forwards and backs among the replacements.
“Nothing beats playing at DHL Stadium and we are very excited about that as we have only played at home once this year,” said Dobson.
“We are excited too to see what the players coming in can do in this game. Everyone is up for what should be another hard fought South African derby.”
Ulster’s win over the Sharks last week, thus keeping them in touch with the Stormers in the battle for a top two spot, has led Dobson to resist the temptation to rest Manie Libbok, something he has hinted at over the past few weeks. The Stormers, like all the teams, do have a three week break after this game before they next see action.
DHL Stormers: Clayton Blommetjies, Angelo Davids, Ruhan Nel, Dan du Plessis, Seabelo Senatla, Manie Libbok, Paul de Wet, Marcel Theunissen, Ben-Jason Dixon, Deon Fourie (captain), Ruben van Heerden, Ernst van Rhyn, Neethling Fouche, Joseph Dweba, Ali Vermaak. Replacements: JJ Kotze, Brok Harris, Sazi Sandi, Connor Evans, Willie Engelbrecht, Herschel Jantjies, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Suleiman Hartzenberg.