The DHL Stormers will have their work cut out in a repeat of their semi-final last season against Connacht at Dexcom Stadium in Galway on Saturday at 18:05 (SA Time), where the hosts will be determined to bounce back strongly after suffering a heavy defeat against Munster last week to stay in playoff contention.
The Capetonians, however, will take confidence from the fact that they outplayed the Dragons in Newport last week, and with the stakes high for both teams, neither side is expected to give an inch.
With the DHL Stormers, who came up short by 19-17 the last time they visited Galway, in February 2022, boasting a better attack and defence this season, they will certainly back themselves going into the match, but Connacht have been solid at home this season, suffering only two defeats, one of which was by a narrow two points against Leinster.
Tiernan O’Halloran will start for Connacht. The Clifden native will play his final home game for the club after a 15-year career, after announcing his retirement earlier this month.
Jarrad Butler will also play in front of the home support for the final time if called upon, with the former captain named among the replacements. Also on the bench is Argentinian international Santiago Cordero, who is in line to make his debut after recovering from his pre-season injury.
The front-row of Peter Dooley, Dave Heffernan and Finlay Bealham is unchanged, while Darragh Murray comes into the second row alongside Joe Joyce. The fit-again Cian Prendergast is named at blindside flanker, with Shamus Hurley-Langton at openside and Sean Jansen at number 8 in a physical-looking back row.
Caolin Blade comes in for the injured Matthew Devine at scrum-half while Jack Carty continues at out-half. A change at centre sees David Hawkshaw start at 13 alongside Bundee Aki, while John Porch replaces the injured Shane Jennings on the wing. The remaining back three of Byron Ralston and Tiernan O’Halloran is unchanged.
The game is sure to be an emotional occasion for the supporters, in what will be the last in front of the Clan Stand before its demolition next month. Those in attendance will also get an opportunity to pay tribute to the club’s departing players with a presentation after the game.
Head Coach Pete Wilkins said: “The game will be a momentous occasion between departing players, potential debuts and everything happening with the Clan Stand, but first and foremost it’s a massive game that we have to win. Playoff rugby and Champions Cup qualification is what we’ll always aspire to, and now we must produce a performance that shows we deserve to reach that next stage.
There will be a lot said about the departing players before and after the game, but it’s important to highlight how great it is to include Santi in the matchday 23 for the first time. He has shown unbelievable resilience since his injury, and it’s a testament to him and the medical team here that he’s available to us for these last two games at least.
It’s a 23 I know is capable of delivering a performance and result fitting of the occasion, and I’m sure the thousands of fans in the Clan Stand and around the stadium will be with them for every step of the way.”
Damian Willemse, Hacjivah Dayimani and Brok Harris all come into the DHL Stormers’ starting line-up.
Willemse slots in at inside centre, with Dan du Plessis shifting to 13 in the only changes to the backline that featured in the win against Dragons RFC in Newport last week.
There is also a positional switch for Evan Roos, who moves to the openside flank, with Dayimani starting at the back of the scrum this week.
The experienced Harris will start at loosehead prop, alongside the Springbok front row duo of Frans Malherbe and Joseph Dweba.
Prop Kwenzo Blose and loose forward Marcel Theunissen are the only new additions among the replacements.
DHL Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson said that his team is keen to build on the momentum gained from their win at Rodney Parade last week.
“While we were pleased with the way we finished, we know there are many areas we can sharpen up in and this is another great opportunity to refine our game with the play-offs approaching.
“We know that Connacht will be desperate to win in their last home game of the season and the obvious pressure of the log will ramp up the intensity even further.
“We have had a full week of training here in Galway and want to show that we can be a threat no matter where we play,” he said.
Teams:
Connacht: 15 Tiernan O’Halloran, 14 John Porch, 13 David Hawkshaw, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Byron Ralston, 10 Jack Carty, 9 Caolin Blade, 8 Sean Jansen, 7 Shamus Hurley-Langton, 6 Cian Prendergast, 5 Darragh Murray, 4 Joe Joyce, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Dave Heffernan (c), 1 Peter Dooley. Replacements: 16 Dylan Tierney-Martin, 17 Jordan Duggan, 18 Jack Aungier, 19 Oisín Dowling, 20 Jarrad Butler, 21 Colm Reilly, 22 Cathal Forde, 23 Santiago Cordero.
DHL Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Dan du Plessis, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Evan Roos, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Salmaan Moerat (c), 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Brok Harris. Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Kwenzo Blose, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Adre Smith, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Stefan Ungerer, 22 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 23 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.