The DHL Stormers will be the first domestic team to take the field on Saturday when they host Ulster in Cape Town, today at 15h00
The seventh-placed DHL Stormers will also look to maintain their presence at the top end of the standings when they meet Ulster at the DHL Stadium, and the fact that they have not won four home games in succession since 2018 will fuel their determination to win even more.
But they will be wary of the visitors, who are currently in second place on the log with 10 victories in 13 games and fresh off a four-match winning streak.
The Capetonians, however, will draw confidence from the fact that they scored 95 points in their last two matches against Cardiff and Zebre Parma, but they will be cognisant of the fact that it will take nothing less than a fine performance all around against the Irishmen to come away with their seventh win of the season.
Springbok prop Frans Malherbe will make his return from injury for the DHL Stormers in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship encounter with Ulster at DHL Stadium on Saturday.
There are four changes to the DHL Stormers' starting line-up for their clash with the Irish outfit, which kicks off at 15h00 (SAST) on Saturday.
Malherbe is joined in the front row by captain Steven Kitshoff and hooker Chad Solomon, who makes his first start of the campaign in the absence of the injured Scarra Ntubeni.
The only other change to the forward pack sees Ernst van Rhyn start at blindside flank, with lock Adre Smith also available to take his place in the starting XV after having to withdraw last week due to post-concussion symptoms.
In the backline Paul de Wet starts at scrumhalf in a rotational change, with Herschel Jantjies set to make an impact in the second half as one of two backs on the replacements bench. Lock Connor Evans will make his DHL Stormers debut when he comes on as a replacement.
DHL Stormers Head Coach John Dobson said that the team are looking forward to what should be a special occasion with a bigger crowd allowed to attend at DHL Stadium.
“The change in regulations has been a big boost for us this week and we are all excited to see more of our Faithful supporters in the stands this weekend, which really makes a big difference to the players.
“It is fantastic to have a player of Frans’ proven quality back in the mix and everyone is really motivated to deliver our best possible performance against a quality outfit like Ulster,” he said.
Alan O’Connor will make his 150th appearance for the Ulster men, and he will skipper the side from the second row. Partnering O’Connor is Kieran Treadwell who returns from international duties. Eric O’Sullivan and Marty Moore will take the starting prop positions with Rob Herring returning from Ireland camp at hooker. Greg Jones has been given the nod at blindside flanker, with Marcus Rea lining out at openside and Duane Vermeulen completing the pack at Number Eight.
Mike Lowry returns from international duties to start at full-back, with Craig Gilroy and Rob Lyttle assisting on the right and left wings. Stuart McCloskey and Stewart Moore will form the midfield partnership, and John Cooney comes in to start at scrum-half alongside Billy Burns at out-half.
Luke Marshall could make his first appearance this season having been named among the replacements after returning from injury. Joining him in the backs is David Shanahan and Ethan McIlroy. The forward reinforcements are Tom Stewart, Callum Reid, Gareth Milasinovich, Mick Kearney and Jordi Murphy.
Weather: 22° with 24km/h SSE wind, sunny with 55% humidity.
Prediction: DHL Stormers by 10.
Teams:
DHL Stormers: 15. Warrick Gelant, 14. Seabelo Senatla, 13. Ruhan Nel, 12. Damian Willemse, 11. Leolin Zas, 10. Manie Libbok, 9. Paul de Wet, 8. Evan Roos, 7. Ernst van Rhyn, 6. Deon Fourie, 5. Marvin Orie, 4. Adre Smith, 3. Frans Malherbe, 2. Chad Solomon, 1. Steven Kitshoff (captain). Replacements: 16. JJ Kotze, 17. Brok Harris, 18. Neethling Fouche, 19. Connor Evans, 20. Hacjivah Dayimani, 21. Junior Pokomela, 22. Herschel Jantjies, 23. Rikus Pretorius.
Ulster: 15. Mike Lowry, 14. Craig Gilroy, 13. Stewart Moore, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 11. Rob Lyttle, 10. Billy Burns, 9. John Cooney, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Marcus Rea, 6. Greg Jones, 5. Kieran Treadwell, 4. Alan O’Connor (captain), 3. Marty Moore, 2. Rob Herring, 1. Eric O’Sullivan. Replacements: 16. Tom Stewart, 17. Callum Reid, 18. Gareth Milasinovich, 19. Mick Kearney, 20. Jordi Murphy, 21. David Shanahan, 22. Luke Marshall, 23. Ethan McIlroy.