The DHL Stormers will face a confident Ulster in Belfast on Friday night at the Affidea Stadium, Belfast at 20:45 (SA Time).
The DHL Stormers will be well aware of the fact that a slip-up against Ulster could see them tumble down the table, as only three log points separate them from Leinster. Piling more pressure on the Capetonians, Ulster will be high on confidence after booking their place in the EPCR Challenge Cup final last week.
With a favourable attacking and far superior defensive record to the hosts, adding to the DHL Stormers’ desperation to finish the pool stages as the top-ranked team, they will back themselves to build on their impressive showing against the Glasgow Warriors in their last outing.
John Dobson’s side will also be mindful of the fact that although Ulster have won five of their seven Vodacom URC matches so far, they suffered disappointing defeats in their last two home games, which they will want to make up for after a valuable home victory in the EPCR Challenge Cup against the Exeter Chiefs last week. All this paves the way for an epic battle.
Ulster have named a strong 23 for the match, with Angus Bell, James McCormick, Charlie Irvine, Ethan McIlroy, and Werner Kok all returning to the starting XV.
Deon Fourie will captain the DHL Stormers and will earn his 140th DHL Stormers cap in the Round 17 clash.
Evan Roos draws level with Duane Vermeulen for the most starts in the DHL Stormers No.8 jersey as he starts his 73rd game at the back of the scrum.
Fourie and Roos are joined by Ben-Jason Dixon in the loose trio, with Paul de Villiers, Hacjivah Dayimani and Keke Morabe all set to make an impact in the second half.
Ruben van Heerden and Adré Smith continue in the second row, while Sazi Sandi joins Springboks André-Hugo Venter and Ntuthuko Mchunu up front. Oli Kebble, Zachary Porthen and Connor Evans feature among the replacements, while Fourie will provide cover at hooker.
In the backline, Dan du Plessis shifts to outside centre in place of the injured Nel (calf), with Damian Willemse moving to inside centre and Warrick Gelant back in the starting line-up at fullback. The only other change to the backline sees Imad Khan start at scrumhalf, with Stefan Ungerer and Jurie Matthee providing backline cover among the replacements.
Teams:
Ulster Rugby: 15 Michael Lowry, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Ethan McIlroy, 12 Jude Postlethwaite, 11 Zac Ward, 10 Jack Murphy, 9 Nathan Doak, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Nick Timoney, 6 Cormac Izuchukwu, 5 Charlie Irvine, 4 Iain Henderson (captain), 3 Tom O’Toole, 2 James McCormick, 1 Angus Bell. Replacements: 16 Tom Stewart, 17 Eric O’Sullivan, 18 Scott Wilson, 19 Harry Sheridan, 20 Bryn Ward, 21 Conor McKee, 22 Jake Flannery, 23 Wilhelm De Klerk.
DHL Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Wandisile Simelane, 13 Dan du Plessis, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Imad Khan, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Deon Fourie (captain), 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Adré Smith, 3 Sazi Sandi, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu. Replacements: 16 Paul de Villiers, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Hacjivah Dayimani, 21 Keke Morabe, 22 Stefan Ungerer, 23 Jurie Matthee.