There is a brilliant treat in store for Eastern Cape rugby enthusiasts today as the DHL Stormers take their 14h00 (SA Time) clash with the Dragons to the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Today’s encounter between the second-placed DHL Stormers and the Dragons in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium will be the 16th Vodacom URC fixture at the venue, but the first since March 2020 when Connacht beat the Southern Kings there.
The defending champions from Cape Town are on a good run and have lost just once in the competition since February, a 24-30 reverse at Cardiff on 22 October.
The DHL Stormers have won their last 14 home games on a trot in Cape Town and Stellenbosch, but this is the first fixture they will be staging in the Eastern Cape.
Last Sunday’s 33-25 loss for the Dragons in Johannesburg saw their two-game winning run come to an end, meaning they have now lost their last six away games. With the expected return of some of their Springbok players, the DHL Stormers, who managed to beat the Scarlets 36-19 in Cape Town last week, will be considered strong favourites.
Prediction - DHL Stormers by 20.
Lock Salmaan Moerat will captain the DHL Stormers. Moerat is joined in the second row by fellow Springbok lock Marvin Orie, while flyhalf Manie Libbok and replacement loose forward Deon Fourie also make their return from duty with the national side.
In the backline Tristan Leyds makes his first appearance of the season on the wing, along with outside centre Ruhan Nel who returns from an injury picked up in pre-season.
Herschel Jantjies starts at scrumhalf to round out an exciting backline, with utility back Mnombo Zwelendaba set to make his DHL Stormers debut from the replacements bench.
Flanks Willie Engelbrecht and Nama Xaba also come into the starting line-up, as well as loosehead prop Kwenzo Blose.
DHL Stormers Head Coach John Dobson said that his team is looking forward to what should be a special occasion.
“We know that the people of Gqeberha have plenty of passion for our team, so we can’t wait to get out there and experience the atmosphere at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
“There have been a number of changes and we are excited to see how the players coming in make an impact on Saturday,” he said.
Wales international hooker Bradley Roberts returns to the starting line-up for the Dragons RFC.
The Dragons RFC made seven changes from the side that were narrowly defeated by Emirates Lions for the league clash at Gqeberha.
Roberts is back up front after his autumn exploits with Wales and is joined in the pack by lock Matthew Screech, who makes his first start since his return on loan.
Huw Taylor takes the six jersey, alongside Aaron Wainwright and captain Ross Moriarty in the back row.
A new half-back pairing sees the recalled Rhodri Williams and JJ Hanrahan combine.
Centre Max Clark joins forces with Steff Hughes in midfield while the final change is a call-up for Jordan Williams on the wing.
Harri Keddie, Will Reed and Aneurin Owen are the new faces among the replacements.
“We are most certainly going up a level against the Stormers,” said Head Coach Dai Flanagan.
“Their squad is very strong. They had a lot of development players in the side against the Scarlets, but it didn't change the way they play.
“They have a DNA and they challenged the Scarlets a lot; they have line speed in defence and play a bit more with their back line than the opposition we faced last week.
“I’m sure they’ll have some internationals back this weekend because they go to Clermont after us and, if it was me, I'd want them involved.
“We are preparing for the very best Stormers team and we have to be ready.”
Teams:
DHL Stormers: 15. Clayton Blommetjies, 14. Tristan Leyds, 13. Ruhan Nel, 12. Dan du Plessis, 11. Leolin Zas, 10. Manie Libbok, 9. Herschel Jantjies, 8. Hacjivah Dayimani, 7. Willie Engelbrecht, 6. Nama Xaba, 5. Marvin Orie, 4. Salmaan Moerat (c), 3. Neethling Fouche, 2. Joseph Dweba, 1. Kwenzo Blose. Replacements: 16. JJ Kotze, 17. Brok Harris, 18. Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19. Connor Evans, 20. Deon Fourie, 21. Paul de Wet, 22. Kade Wolhuter, 23. Mnombo Zwelendaba.
Dragons RFC: 15. Angus O’Brien, 14. Sio Tomkinson, 13. Steff Hughes, 12. Max Clark, 11. Jordan Williams, 10. JJ Hanrahan, 9. Rhodri Williams, 8. Ross Moriarty (c), 7. Aaron Wainwright, 6. Huw Taylor, 5. Sean Lonsdale, 4. Matthew Screech, 3. Lloyd Fairbrother, 2. Bradley Roberts, 1. Aki Seiuli. Replacements: 16. James Benjamin, 17. Josh Reynolds, 18. Chris Coleman, 19. Harri Keddie, 20. Ben Fry, 21. Lewis Jones, 22. Will Reed, 23. Aneurin Owen
