The Stormers are taking a bold gamble with their selections for the final game of their United Rugby Championship (URC) opening tour, making eight changes to the starting XV for Saturday’s clash against Benetton in Treviso.
With a chance to end the trip unbeaten and claim their first-ever victory in the Italian city, the Cape side will be hoping their reshuffled lineup can deliver under pressure. They also have the opportunity to remain atop the URC log if they can pick up maximum points from the game.
There’s a completely new tight five and a fresh halfback pairing for the 18.30 kickoff at Stadio Monigo, as the Stormers aim to stretch their unbeaten run to five matches at the start of the new season.
Springbok Salmaan Moerat makes a welcome return from injury and partners JD Schickerling in the second row, while a fit-again tighthead Sazi Sandi joins hooker André-Hugo Venter and loosehead Vernon Matongo in the front row.
The halfback combination also sees a shake-up, with veteran Dewaldt Duvenage linking up with Jurie Matthee as Bok pivot Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is rested this week.
There’s excitement on the bench too, with Springbok scrumhalf Cobus Reinach set to make his Stormers debut and prop Oli Kebble in line for his first appearance since 2017 after returning to the franchise. They are part of a six-two forwards-loaded bench split, with the Cape side clearly targeting set piece dominance.
Director of rugby John Dobson said his side understands the challenge that awaits but remains intent on finishing the tour strongly as the competition takes a month-long break in November.
“We know just how tough it is to win in Treviso, so it will take a big effort to get the result we need,” Dobson said.
“The players coming in are all hungry to make an impression, and we’ll be giving it everything to finish the tour with another win before the international break. There are still several areas of our game we’d like to improve, so this is an opportunity to build on the encouraging start we’ve made to the season.”
The Stormers will hope their calculated risks pay off — and that their squad depth proves good enough to conquer a tricky Benetton outfit.
Stormers XV
15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel (captain), 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Sazi Sandi, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Vernon Matongo.
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Adré Smith, 20 Ruben van Heerden, 21 Ruan Ackerman, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Wandisile Simelane.
