DHL Stormers make their Heineken Champions Cup debut at ASM Clermont Auvergne on Saturday at 17:15 (SA Time), looking to add EPCR’s prestige title to their maiden United Rugby Championship trophy from last season.
John Dobson’s men travel to the Stade Marcel-Michelin in fine fettle, having won their last three games. In contrast, Clermont has struggled so far this season, winning only one match in their last five to sit 10th in the TOP 14 table.
Springbok prop Steven Kitshoff will captain the DHL Stormers on Saturday. Kitshoff will earn his 124th cap and draw level with fellow front row stalwart Frans Malherbe as the most-capped DHL Stormers player when he leads DHL Stormers out.
It will be the first time that Kitshoff has captained the DHL Stormers since lifting the Vodacom United Rugby Championship trophy at DHL Stadium in June. He is one of eight internationals in the starting line-up for the much-anticipated clash in Clermont-Ferrand.
Damian Willemse makes his return at fullback, with Samoan international Alapati Leuia on the wing in the only changes to the backline that did duty against Dragons last week.
Kitshoff is joined by Springbok hooker Joseph Dweba in the front row, while there is an all-new lock pairing of Salmaan Moerat and Gary Porter. Deon Fourie and Ernst van Rhyn will be on the flanks, with Hacjivah Dayimani at No 8.
The replacements bench features a good blend of youthful talent and experienced heads in Ali Vermaak and Clayton Blommetjies.
DHL Stormers head coach John Dobson said that his team are focused on making a strong start to the tournament.
“This is a big moment for the team and the players understand that we have an opportunity to show people what we are all about," said Dobson.
“We are up against a decorated side at a renowned venue, which is ideal really for our introduction to the Heineken Champions Cup. We can’t wait to get going.”
Clermont will be looking to get off to a good start in the competition, having failed to progress beyond the quarter-finals since their loss to Saracens in the 2017 final.
Prediction: DHL Stormers by 12.
Teams:
DHL Stormers: 15. Damian Willemse, 14. Alapati Leuia, 13. Ruhan Nel, 12. Dan du Plessis, 11. Leolin Zas, 10. Manie Libbok, 9. Herschel Jantjies, 8. Hacjivah Dayimani, 7. Ernst van Rhyn, 6. Deon Fourie, 5. Gary Porter, 4. Salmaan Moerat, 3. Neethling Fouche, 2. Joseph Dweba, 1. Steven Kitshoff (c). Replacements: 16. Andre-Hugo Venter, 17. Ali Vermaak, 18. Sazi Sandi, 19. Ben-Jason Dixon, 20. Marcel Theunissen, 21. Junior Pokomela, 22. Paul de Wet, 23. Clayton Blommetjies.
Clermont: 15. Alex Newsome, 14. Damian Penaud, 13. Samuel Ezeala, 12. Apisai Naqalevu, 11. Alivereti Raka, 10. Jules Plisson, 9. Sebastien Bezy, 8. Jacobus van Tonder, 7. Alexandre Fischer, 6. Arthur Iturria (c), 5. Sebastien Vahaamahina, 4. Tomas Lavanini, 3. Cristian Ojovan, 2. Yohan Beheregaray, 1. Eitienne Falgoux. Replacements: 16. Benjamin Boudou, 17. Giorgi Beria, 18. Davit Kubriashvili, 19. Thibaud Lenen, 20. Killian Tixeront, 21. Baptiste Jauneau, 22. Anthony Belleau, 23. Chiekh Tiberghien.
