Edinburgh will have to put the disappointment of their last-gasp defeat to Benetton behind them when they host the DHL Stormers, kick-off today 18h15, determined to deliver their first win of the season.
Benetton stunning Edinburgh at the death was the worst possible result for the Stormers as they’re set to encounter a supercharged side seeking to make amends for the heartbreak in Treviso. Mike Blair’s men were victorious in their first home game at their new stadium a fortnight ago, beating Scarlets 26-22, and will be determined to replicate that result.
There was also a defeat in Round 2 for the Stormers, who led 15-7 at half-time against Munster before ultimately losing 34-18 at Thomond Park. Edinburgh were 26-22 victors over the Scarlets in their only previous competitive outing at their new DAM Health Stadium.
Stamina has been the Stormers’ Achilles Heel thus far, having led at half-time only to be overtaken in the second half in both of their fixtures. The Capetonians looked sensational in the first half against Munster – their big challenge will be to find a way to produce an 80-minute performance in the Scottish capital.
If they’re able to do that, they could secure their maiden win, but Edinburgh’s bench gives them the edge.
Edinburgh's summer signings Luan de Bruin and Ramiro Moyano are both handed their competitive debuts as two of seven changes named by Head Coach Mike Blair.
De Bruin is named in a reshuffled front-row alongside Pierre Schoeman and hooker Dave Cherry – who replaces the rested Stuart McInally - while Marshall Sykes and Luke Crosbie return at lock and openside flanker respectively to complete the changes to the pack.
In the backline, James Lang is shifted to the outside centre as Cammy Hutchison returns to the starting XV in place of the rested Mark Bennett, with Argentine international Moyano selected on the wing in the only alteration to the back-three.
Henry Immelman continues at full-back with Scotland international Darcy Graham, twice a try-scorer in the Round 1 victory over Scarlets, and Moyano selected on opposite wings.
A new centre pairing sees Hutchison and Lang link up in midfield, with scrum-half Ben Vellacott, named Player of the Match in his last two outings, once again selected alongside stand-off Jaco van der Walt.
The aforementioned trio of Schoeman, Cherry and debutant de Bruin make up the front-row, with locks Grant Gilchrist and Sykes completing the tight-five.
The inclusion of Crosbie at openside flanker is the only alteration to an otherwise unchanged back-row as Jamie Ritchie and Viliame Mata once against start at blindside flanker and number 8 respectively.
Elsewhere, hooker Adam McBurney is named among the replacements and in line to make his competitive debut for the club while Damien Hoyland returns from injury (knee) that kept him out of the opening two rounds of URC action.
Ahead of the capital side’s first-ever meeting with DHL Stormers, Head Coach Mike Blair said: “While we were clearly disappointed with last weekend’s result in Treviso, the effort and skills were there, and it’s been great to see that work ethic continue into this week’s training and preparation for facing the Stormers.
“We’ve made a number of changes to the starting line-up. Some through injury, but others because guys have put their hand up for selection through the way they’ve trained and we’re really excited to see those players get their opportunity.
“It’s great for the competition to have a team like Stormers involved. They play an exciting and fast-paced style of rugby while they’ve got a lot of size in their team too. It’s going to be a huge test for our guys this Saturday, but it’s one we look forward to immensely.
The DHL Stormers starting team named to face Edinburgh features six changes, with five in the backline and one in the forward pack.
De Jongh, who made his DHL Stormers debut in 2010 and has recently returned to the Cape after three seasons with English side Wasps, will partner Rikus Pretorius in midfield.
The other changes to the backline see Edwill van der Merwe on the wing as well as a new halfback pairing of Tim Swiel and Paul de Wet.
The only change in the forwards sees Ernst van Rhyn come in at lock, while prop Kwenzo Blose, hooker JJ Kotze and lock Justin Basson are set to make their first appearances of the campaign from the replacements bench.
DHL Stormers Head Coach John Dobson paid tribute to De Jongh who will make his 100th appearance for the Stormers.
“Juan will be remembered as a legend of DHL Stormers and DHL Western Province rugby. His contribution since coming back earlier this year has been invaluable and I know the team are determined to give him a performance to celebrate on Saturday,” he said.
Dobson added that it will take an 80-minute performance to get the result in Edinburgh on Saturday.
“We have shown glimpses of what we are capable of already on this tour and the challenge now is to sustain that intensity throughout the match.
“It has been another week of hard work and we are excited to see what this team can do out there on Saturday,” he said.
Teams:
Edinburgh: 15. Henry Immelman, 14. Darcy Graham, 13. James Lang, 12. Cammy Hutchison, 11. Ramiro Moyano, 10. Jaco van der Walt, 9. Ben Vellacott, 8. Viliame Mata, 7. Luke Crosbie, 6. Jamie Ritchie, 5. Grant Gilchrist (c), 4. Marshall Sykes, 3. Luan de Bruin, 2. Dave Cherry, 1. Pierre Schoeman. Replacements: 16. Adam McBurney, 17. Boan Venter, 18. WP Nel, 19. Jamie Hodgson, 20. Magnus Bradbury, 21. Charlie Shiel, 22. James Johnstone, 23. Damien Hoyland.
DHL Stormers: 15. Warrick Gelant, 14. Sergeal Petersen, 13. Juan de Jongh, 12. Rikus Pretorius, 11. Edwill van der Merwe, 10. Tim Swiel, 9. Paul de Wet, 8. Evan Roos, 7. Willie Engelbrecht, 6. Nama Xaba, 5. Salmaan Moerat, 4. Ernst van Rhyn, 3. Neethling Fouche, 2. Scarra Ntubeni, 1. Brok Harris. Replacements: 16. JJ Kotze, 17. Kwenzo Blose, 18. Sazi Sandi, 19. Justin Basson, 20. Marcel Theunissen, 21. Godlen Masimla, 22. Manie Libbok, 23. Dan du Plessis.
