Stormers XXIII keep changes to minimum for spicy Winelands derby against Boland

Scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer will captain the Stormers XXIII when they make the short trip to the Winelands to face the Boland Kavaliers in a Currie Cup Cape derby at the Boland Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

There is just one change to the starting line-up that secured a victory over Griquas last week for the 3pm kick-off. Flyhalf Jean-Luc du Plessis misses out due to a minor knee injury, handing starting duties to Dominic Malgas following an impressive cameo off the bench last weekend.

The matchday squad features two alterations amongst the replacements. Lock Gary Porter returns following international duty with the Zimbabwe Sables, whilst utility back Kian Davis is set to make his Currie Cup debut off the bench.

Head Coach Tom Dawson-Squibb stressed that his team must raise their standards against a confident Boland side coming off an impressive 24-10 victory over the Bulls.

“We have some good continuity in the team this week, so hopefully we see an improvement in all areas. Wellington is renowned as a tough place to play, so we know we will have to make a step-up,” Dawson-Squibb said.

“We did not have any of the returning Junior Springboks available for selection this week, but we should see some of them come into the mix going forward.

“It will take a big effort from all involved to get the result we want, but there is no doubting the character and the fight in this group, and we will see that for 80 minutes on Sunday.”

Stormers XXIII: 15 Dylan Miller, 14 Gino Cupido, 13 Josh Boulle, 12 Cornel Smit, 11 Mfundo Ndhlovu, 10 Dominic Malgas, 9 Stefan Ungerer (captain), 8 Wandile Mlaba, 7 Divan Fuller, 6 Keke Morabe, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Tom Barnard, 3 Herman Lubbe, 2 Vernon Paulo, 1 Oli Kebble.

Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Mhleli Khuzwayo, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Gary Porter, 20 Dylan de Leeuw, 21 Xola Nyali, 22 Tiaan Fourie, 23 Kian Davis.