The DHL Stormers will look to maintain their standing as the top-placed domestic franchise in the competition when they take on the Ospreys at the DHL Stadium today @ 18h00.
Captain Steven Kitshoff’s team will be looking to make it five consecutive home wins while their visitors will lean heavily on their returning international players to get their season back on track.
With Ospreys suffering defeats in all four of their fixtures against the SA sides, the Capetonians will enter the match with confidence, but they will be ready for a fight against a team that will be determined to remain in the top 10 on the standings.
There are four changes to the DHL Stormers' starting line-up. There are two changes to the backline and two in the forward pack from the team that secured a 23-20 win against Ulster last week.
Warrick Gelant has been left out as a precaution due to a minor thumb injury and his place at fullback is filled by Damian Willemse, with Rikus Pretorius coming in at inside centre.
Ernst van Rhyn has also been ruled out with an elbow injury picked up in training this week, so Hacjivah Dayimani starts at blindside flank, with the final change coming on the other side of the scrum where Junior Pokomela comes into the starting line-up.
There are also three new faces among the replacements, with Ali Vermaak, Ben-Jason Dixon and Sergeal Petersen all in line to make an impression in the second half.
DHL Stormers Head Coach John Dobson said that his team is aiming to build some more winning momentum against what will be a competitive Ospreys team.
“We have been pleased with our results recently, but we know there is still much we can improve in our game and hopefully we can show take another step forward on Saturday.
“It is another great opportunity for us to play in front of our Faithful supporters and we are expecting a real test from the Ospreys, who have a number of Test players in their ranks,” he said.
The Ospreys have named their team with the cavalry returning this weekend. Welsh International players, Dewi Lake, Gareth Thomas, Tomas Francis, Adam Beard, Jac Morgan, Gareth Anscombe, Owen Watkin and Alex Cuthbert are all returning to the starting line-up.
Rhys Webb Captains the side with Michael Collins partnering Watkin in the centre with Keelan Giles and Dan Evans completing the back three alongside Cuthbert.
Bradley Davies, Dan Lydiate and Morgan Morris complete the starting pack. Off the bench, Sam Parry and Tom Botha provide the cover up front alongside Nicky Smith who is set for his 150th Ospreys appearance if he features off the bench. Rhys Davies, Ethan Roots and Harri Deaves complete the forwards off the bench with Reuben Morgan-Williams and Max Nagy completing the matchday 23.
Weather: 19° with 35km/h SE wind, minimal clouds with 64% humidity with a possibility of thunderstorms.
Prediction: DHL Stormers by 5
Teams
DHL Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Junior Pokomela, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Chad Solomon, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain). Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Deon Fourie, 21 Ben-Jason Dixon, 22 Herschel Jantjies, 23 Sergeal Petersen.
Ospreys: 15. Dan Evans, 14. Alex Cuthbert, 13. Michael Collins, 12. Owen Watkin, 11. Keelan Giles, 10. Gareth Anscombe, 9. Rhys Webb (c), 8. Morgan Morris, 7. Jac Morgan, 6. Dan Lydiate, 5. Adam Beard, 4. Bradley Davies, 3. Tomas Francis, 2. Dewi Lake, 1. Gareth Thomas. Replacements: 16. Sam Parry, 17. Nicky Smith, 18. Tom Botha, 19. Rhys Davies, 20. Ethan Roots, 21. Harri Deaves, 22. Reuben Morgan Williams, 23. Max Nagy.