DHL Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson has confirmed the 29-man squad for the pre-season practice match against the Vodacom Bulls in Paarl on Friday at 15:30 SAST.
The DHL Stormers will welcome back the likes of Riley Norton, JD Schickerling, Jurie Matthee, Olly Reid, Sazi Sandi and Lukhanyo Vokozela from their respective injuries, while backs Andre Warner and Lleyton Davids get an opportunity as well.
Dobson said that after an intense training camp in Hermanus, the practice match in Paarl will give the team some valuable insights just two weeks out from the start of the season.
“We’ve made some good plans and put in some hard work in training, but there is nothing like match situations against quality opposition to show you where you really stand.
“We are also using this match to bring a fair number of players back from injury and give them some gametime before our match against Connacht on 25 September in Galway.
“It promises to be a special occasion; we know how much the people of Paarl love their rugby, and the venue has held some big matches before, but never these two teams. It promises to be a great day out,” he said.
Forwards: Luan Botha, Hacjivah Dayimani, Connor Evans, Neethling Fouche, Herman Lubbe, Louw Nel, Vernon Matongo, Riley Norton, Xola Nyali, Vernon Paulo, Gary Porter, Olly Reid, Sazi Sandi, JD Schickerling, Andre-Hugo Venter, Lukhanyo Vokozela.
Backs: Yaqeen Ahmed, Gino Cupido, Lleyton Davids, Mfundo Ndhlovu, Jurie Matthee, JC Mars, Dylan Miller, Markus Muller, Ezekiel Ngobeni, Jonathan Roche, Wandisile Simelane, Kyle Smith, Andre Warner.