Preview – Scarlets vs DHL Stormers – A Win Is Non-negotiable For DHL Stormers

 

The DHL Stormers have everything to play for against the Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets today at 18h10 as they set their sights on a home quarter-final and possibly a place in the top two, and with a morale-boosting run of seven wins in a row going into the clash, they will back themselves against the hosts who have stumbled at crucial times during the season.

A win could guarantee the Capetonians a home quarter-final, while they will have a shot at the number two ranking if they secure a victory and Munster.

A defeat, in turn, will leave them relying on other results to go in their favour in order to see them earn a home quarter-final.

Tom Rogers and Liam Williams return from injury for the Scarlets' final game of the URC season against DHL Stormers on Saturday at 16h10.

Rogers has recovered from an ankle injury and lines up at full-back, while Williams – one of seven Scarlets named in the Wales squad to tour South Africa – has overcome a hamstring issue and is selected on the right-wing.

Ryan Conbeer lines up on the left wing to make up a potent attacking back three.

Skipper Jonathan Davies and Johnny Williams combine in midfield, while Sam Costelow and Gareth Davies continue at half-back.

There are three changes in the pack following the defeat to the Ospreys last time out.

Ryan Elias is sidelined with an Achilles issue so Shaun Evans comes in at hooker and packs down alongside Steff Thomas and Javan Sebastian.

Second row Sam Lousi is ruled out after undergoing surgery on a damaged thumb and is replaced by Tom Price, who partners Jac Price in the second row.

In the back row, Aaron Shingler comes in at blindside with Josh Macleod switching to openside flanker. Sione Kalamafoni continues at No. 8.

Phil Price and Joe Roberts come onto the bench.

If the Scarlets manage more match points than the Ospreys – who take on Vodacom Bulls in Swansea on Friday night – they will lift the Welsh Shield and secure Champions Cup qualification for next season.

Scarlets' head coach Dwayne Peel said: “One of our goals is to be top of the Welsh Shield and we have got that to play for this weekend. It is slightly out of our hands with Ospreys playing on Friday, but we have prepped for having to win this game. We realise we have a difficult proposition in the Stormers coming to town, it is going to be a tough game, but one we are relishing.”

There are two changes to the DHL Stormers' starting line-up.

Lock Salmaan Moerat and scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer both start in the only changes to the team that took on Leinster at DHL Stadium two weeks ago.

Ernst van Rhyn, Nama Xaba, Marcel Theunissen, Godlen Masimla and Cornel Smit have all been rewarded for their recent form for DHL Western Province in the Carling Currie Cup with places on the replacements bench.

With a play-off place already secure, the DHL Stormers need a win to book a home quarterfinal at DHL Stadium.

Head Coach John Dobson knows that his team will have to be accurate for 80 minutes to take some winning momentum into the knock-out phase of the competition.

“We have had a great run of wins at home and this week is a chance to show what we can do up here.
“The players understand what is required against a Scarlets team that will also be highly motivated.
“We will need full focus and execution to get the result that we need,” he said.

Weather: 14° with 14 km/h SW wind, partly cloudy with 81% humidity with little chance of rain.
Prediction: DHL Stormers by 10.

Teams:

Scarlets: 15. Tom Rogers; 14. Liam Williams, 13. Jonathan Davies (c), 12. Johnny Williams, 11. Ryan Conbeer; 10. Sam Costelow, 9. Gareth Davies, 8. Sione Kalamafoni, 7. Josh Macleod, 6. Aaron Shingler, 5. Jac Price, 4. Tom Price, 3. Javan Sebastian, 2. Shaun Evans, 1. Steff Thomas. Replacements: 16. Daf Hughes, 17. Phil Price, 18. WillGriff John, 19. Morgan Jones, 20. Tomas Lezana, 21. Kieran Hardy, 22. Rhys Patchell, 23. Joe Roberts.

DHL Stormers: 15. Warrick Gelant, 14. Seabelo Senatla, 13. Ruhan Nel, 12. Damian Willemse, 11. Leolin Zas, 10. Manie Libbok, 9. Stefan Ungerer, 8. Evan Roos, 7. Hacjivah Dayimani, 6. Deon Fourie, 5. Marvin Orie, 4. Salmaan Moerat, 3. Frans Malherbe, 2. JJ Kotze, 1. Steven Kitshoff (c). Replacements: 16. Andre-Hugo Venter, 17. Brok Harris, 18. Neethling Fouche, 19. Ernst van Rhyn, 20. Nama Xaba, 21. Marcel Theunissen, 22. Godlen Masimla, 23. Cornel Smit.