DHL Stormers coach John Dobson has refreshed his starting pack by making four changes to the unit that did duty in the 38-7 defeat to Edinburgh last weekend for Saturday’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash with Munster at DHL Stadium.
There are actually five changes to the pack if you factor in a positional shift in the second row, with JD Schickerling shifting from No 4 lock to No 5 and leader of the lineout to accommodate a starting opportunity for the physical Adre Smith at No 4. Ruben van Heerden will play off the bench in this game.
In additional changes at forward, Marcel Theunissen is back on the openside flank, with Dave Ewers moving to the bench, while Joseph Dweba and Sti Sithole start at hooker and openside flank respectively. Andre-Hugo Venter and Brok Harris will play off the bench.
The DHL Stormers are yet to beat Munster in the #VURC đź‘€
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Will things change on Saturday in Cape Town? pic.twitter.com/uHalKhPiZE
There is also a change at the back, with Suleiman Hartzenberg returning on the right wing for Angelo Davids. Dobson is continuing with Damian Willemse at flyhalf in the continued absence of Manie Libbok but, in a departure from last week in Edinburgh, the safety back-up of Jurie Matthee has been added as a goalkicking cover.
That move could prove significant should it turn out to be a close game, as it could well be given the history of these two sides, and the Stormers need a clutch kick to win it later in the contest.
A welcome returnee on the bench is Bok 2019 World Cup-winning scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies, who made a successful return to rugby after a long layoff because of injury for a Western Province XV against Western Force recently.
Dobson said his team was looking forward to playing in front of the Cape Town faithful for the first time this season.
“We were disappointed with the way our tour ended last week, so this is a great opportunity to respond at home,” said the Stormers director of rugby.
“There are some rotational changes and it is fantastic to welcome Herschel back into the mix. We are back in front of our fans at the DHL Stadium and it is vital that we make the most of the support we know we will get here.”
DHL Stormers team: Warrick Gelant, Suleiman Hartzenberg, Ruhan Nel, Dan du Plessis (captain), Leolin Zas, Damian Willemse, Paul de Wet, Keke Morabe, Ben-Jason Dixon, Marcel Theunissen, JD Schickerling, Adre Smith, Neethling Fouche, Sti Sithole. Replacements: Andre-Hugo Venter, Brok Harris, Sazi Sandi, Ruben van Heerden, Dave Ewers, Louw Nel, Herschel Jantjies, Jurie Matthee.