Stormers coach John Dobson has opted to change captain and install a new front row for the Vodacom URC clash against the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Springbok star Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu was handed the Stormers captaincy against the Leicester Tigers in mid-January in an Investec Champions Cup match and had been entrusted with the role since.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu starts against the Lions but the team will be led by lock JD Schickerling, who returns to the starting lineup alongside Adré Smith.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu will be partnered by scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer, who starts in place of Cobus Reinach, recovering from groin surgery.
The other change to the team that started in the 36-24 loss to the Sharks in Durban sees Warrick Gelant replace Damian Willemse, who is being rested as per Bok protocols, at fullback.
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JJ Kotzé, making his 5oth appearance for the Stormers, starts in a new front row alongside props Ntuthuko Mchunu and Sazi Sandi. André-Hugo Venter, Vernon Matongo and Zachary Porthen are the front-row replacements.
The Stormers retain the dynamic loose trio of Paul de Villiers, Ben-Jason Dixon and Evan Roos who play their sixth match together.
Connor Evans, Marcel Theunissen and the re-signed Hacjivah Dayimani are all set to make an impact in the second half, while Imad Khan and Jurie Matthee provide backline cover.
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“It was good for the players to get a short break and since coming back together, we have done some really valuable work which we feel will stand us in good stead for the second half of the season,” said director of rugby John Dobson.
“It is another South African derby this weekend against a Lions team that has shown some good form lately, so we will need to be as sharp as possible to get the result.”
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Dobson paid tribute to Kotzé, who has been a central figure in the squad since making his debut.
“JJ is someone who grew up supporting this team and while earning 50 caps, also managed to qualify as a physiotherapist. He is an impressive young man who has earned the respect of his teammates and opponents.”
The 25-year-old Kotzé made his debut against Edinburgh in late 2021 and would go on to start in the URC final as the Stormers claimed the inaugural title.
STORMERS – 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon , 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 JD Schickerling (c), 4 Adré Smith, 3 Sazi Sandi, 2 JJ Kotzé, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Bench: 16 André-Hugo Venter, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Connor Evans , 20 Marcel Theunissen, Hacjivah Dayimani, 22 Imad Khan, 23 Jurie Matthee.
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
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