DHL Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson, on Friday, explained the reasoning behind his selection for the match against the Vodacom Bulls on Saturday at 16:30 in Cape Town.
Damian Willemse will be joined in midfield by Wandisile Simelane, outside Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who links up with fellow Springbok Cobus Reinach at halfback. The only other change to the backline sees Suleiman Hartzenberg come into the starting line-up on the right wing, having featured off the replacements bench in the win against the Lions.
“Suleiman’s played these derbies before, and he’s very strong in the air. We need to build capacity in the backs and get him ready.”
In the forward pack, Ali Vermaak starts at loosehead prop, while there is also a switch in the second row as JD Schickerling joins captain Salmaan Moerat at lock.
The only change to the loose trio sees Ruan Ackermann start at openside flank as Paul de Villiers joins Adré Smith, Ruben van Heerden, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Sazi Sandi, and Lukhanyo Vokozela in the group of forwards that will finish the game.
Flanker Paul de Villiers, who has racked up three consecutive Man of the Match awards, is among the substitutes as Dobson wants to “keep some fizz on the bench”.
“Paul’s been outstanding, but we wanted impact later in the game. The way he carries and hits breakdowns can do serious damage when things loosen up.”
The selection of loosehead prop Ali Vermaak and lock JD Schickerling to start is aimed at countering the Bulls’ power up front, Dobson said.
“We know they’re the best team for post-contact metres. Ali’s stopping power and JD’s physicality are important for us in a game like this,” said Dobson.
“I think a lot of damage was done in that previous game with the starting front row. Wilco Louw really had a free ride on us. So that is the view to countering that with Ali’s selection.”