24 October 2026
The DHL Stormers are heavily tipped to secure maximum points as they prepare to host a dangerous Scarlets outfit at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town. Entering the clash sitting comfortably in fourth place on the Vodacom URC table, the Capetonians boast supreme confidence following a string of high-octane performances. John Dobson's men have already dismantled Connacht and the Hollywoodbets Sharks domestically, alongside a ruthless 49-12 demolition of the Bristol Bears in Europe.
The 12th-placed Welsh visitors arrive in the Mother City determined to crash the party and upset the odds. Despite their lowly table position, the Llanelli-based side have proven to be a tough nut to crack this season. After suffering heartbreakingly narrow losses to Cardiff and the Dragons, they bounced back with consecutive victories over Benetton and the Newcastle Falcons.
Protecting their home turf remains a non-negotiable priority for the Stormers if they want to guarantee a crucial top-four finish. Running out in front of a fiercely vocal Cape Town crowd, the hosts cannot afford any defensive lapses or complacency against a resilient opponent. Expect the South African franchise to unleash their signature high-tempo game from the opening whistle to choke out the Welsh challenge.
The DHL Stormers have shuffled their deck significantly, opting for a highly progressive, youth-centric squad selection. Director of Rugby John Dobson has rolled the selection dice, resting several high-profile Springboks and established URC combinations ahead of the November break. The captaincy armband stays with flank Paul de Villiers, who continues to deputise following Ruhan Nel's late withdrawal last week.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will marshal an exciting back division alongside Nineteen-year-old Markus Muller, who earns his maiden start at inside centre. Warrick Gelant starts at fullback, and Haashim Pead makes his first start at scrumhalf in the two other changes to the backline. In the loose trio, Hacjivah Dayimani makes his return at the back of the scrum, having missed out last week due to concussion, which sees Evan Roos shift to blindside flank.
There is an all-new lock pairing as Norton and Connor Evans start this week, with JD Schickerling and Adré Smith set to feature after half-time. Hooking depth faces a forced reshuffle, however, as regular hooker JJ Kotze begins a three-match suspension following a dismissed appeal for his red card against Bristol Bears.
The touring Scarlets have also rung critical tactical changes to their match-23 following an injury setback. Inside centre Joe Hawkins returns to the midfield to fill the void left by Johnny Williams, who was ruled out due to a calf strain. In a bold tactical play, 18-year-old fly-half Carwyn Leggatt-Jones gets his first URC run of the season to partner Dane Blacker at scrum-half, while Welsh international veteran Gareth Anscombe drops down to provide high-calibre firepower off the bench.
Rugby pundits and bookmakers are overwhelmingly backing the DHL Stormers to secure a comprehensive, bonus-point victory on home soil. Leading analysts and bookmakers installed the Capetonians as massive 1/25 favourites.
Teams:
DHL Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Markus Muller, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Haashim Pead, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Evan Roos, 6 Paul de Villiers (c), 5 Connor Evans, 4 Riley Norton, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu. Replacements: 16 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 17 Olly Reid, 18 Neethling Fouché, 19 Adré Smith, 20 JD Schickerling, 21 Deon Fourie, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Yaqeen Ahmed.
Scarlets: 15 Ioan Nicholas, 14 Ioan Jones, 13 Joe Roberts, 12 Joe Hawkins, 11 Macs Page, 10 Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, 9 Dane Blacker, 8 Fletcher Anderson, 7 Josh Macleod (c), 6 Taine Plumtree, 5 Sam Lousi, 4 Alex Groves, 3 Harri O’Connor, 2 John McKee, 1 Kemsley Mathias. Replacements: 16 George Roberts, 17 Sam O’Connor, 18 Gabe Hawley, 19 Harvey Cuckson, 20 Dan Davis, 21 Archie Hughes, 22 Gareth Anscombe, 23 Isaac Murray-Macgregor.