The DHL Stormers will be determined to register a victory against Stade Francais at Stade Jean Bouin on Saturday at 19:30 (SA Time) in the French capital, where they will be hunting their third victory in a row in the competition against the winless Parisian outfit.
With three of the other main contenders for a playoff spot in their pool, Leicester Tigers facing log-leaders Leinster, who have already qualified for the round of 16 and Stade Rochelais lining up against the Sale Sharks, the Capetonians could still make it through even if they suffer a defeat, as they only require two points from the match to guarantee a playoff spot, although they will undoubtedly look to register a victory.
The DHL Stormers will draw inspiration from the fact that they come off back-to-back victories in the showpiece, the latest being a bonus-point victory against Sale, but they will be wary of the fact that Stade Francais has been one of the top performers in the Top 14 with seven wins in 12 matches, meaning it could prove to be a tough match.
Manie Libbok will play his 50th DHL Stormers game in the Investec Champions Cup clash with Stade Francais.
Libbok reaches the milestone in what is just his third season with the DHL Stormers and will marshall a backline that features a number of changes from the combination that did duty in the win against Sale Sharks at DHL Stadium last week.
Damian Willemse is in midfield, with Dan du Plessis shifting to outside centre. Warrick Gelant is at fullback and forms an all-new back three with wings Angelo Davids and Ben Loader, while Suleiman Hartzenberg and scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer are among the replacements.
Hooker Joseph Dweba comes into the starting line-up, as do flank Willie Engelbrecht and No.8 Keke Morabe in the only changes to the starting pack.
Prop Kwenzo Blose and lock Hendre Stassen are also on a replacements bench that features the likes of hooker Andre-Hugo Venter, utility forward Ben-Jason Dixon and loose forward Hacjivah Dayimani.
Head Coach John Dobson was full of praise for Libbok, who has developed into a world-class player since arriving in Cape Town.
“Manie has been a revelation for us since joining in 2021 and he seems to get better and better. Hopefully, he keeps going from strength to strength in a DHL Stormers jersey.
“We face tough opposition in challenging conditions this weekend, so we will have to step up and show that we can perform away from home to challenge for a place in the knock-out phase of the competition,” he said.
Teams
Stade Francais Paris: 15 Leo Monin, 14 Peniasi Dakuwaqa, 13 Stephane Ahmed, 12 Lester Etien, 11 Mathis Ibo, 10 Joris Segonds, 9 Rory Kockott, 8 Giovanni Habel-Kuffner, 7 Andy Timo, 6 Mathieu Hirigoyen, 5 Pierre-Henri Azagoh, 4 Paul Gabrillagues (c), 3 Francisco Gomez Kodela, 2 Lucas Peyresblanques, 1 Clement Castets. Replacements: 16 Mickael Ivaldi, 17 Vasil Kakovin, 18 Hugo N’Diaye, 19 Romain Briatte, 20 Sekou Macalou, 21 Jules Gimbert, 22 Tanginoa Halaifonua, 23 Leo Barre.
DHL Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Dan du Plessis, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Ben Loader, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Keke Morabe, 7 Willie Engelbrecht, 6 Deon Fourie (captain), 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Sti Sithole. Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Kwenzo Blose, 18 Brok Harris, 19 Hendré Stassen, 20 Ben-Jason Dixon, 21 Hacjivah Dayimani, 22 Stefan Ungerer, 23 Suleiman Hartzenberg.
Recent Posts
- Back-ups In Place If Willie And Jan-Hendrik Fails Against DHL Stormers
- 2025 Guinness Six Nations Round 2 Preview
- Unbeaten England U20 Cruised Past France U20 In U20 Six Nations
- Wales U20 Secure Dramatic Win Over Italy U20
- Bulls Daisies Shuffled Side To Travel To Sanlam Boland Dames
- Ireland Could Cut Springboks Lead At The Top By Half
- Scotland Change Three For Match Against Ireland In 2025 Guinness Six Nations
- Stadio Higher Education Commits To Blue Bulls Rugby
- Vodacom Bulls Made Several Changes For Vital DHL Stormers Clash
- Massive Clash In Wellington As Dames Look For Three In A Row At Home
- DHL Stormers Shuffle Backline To Host Vodacom Bulls In United Rugby Championship
- Easterby Names Ireland Team To Face Scotland In 2025 Guinness Six Nations
- England Named Team To Play France In 2025 Guinness Six Nations
- Venue Confirmed For Sevens Challenger 2025 Opener
- France Made Two Changes To Face England At Twickenham