Several players return from injury for the Stormers XXIII against the Seattle Seawolves at Cape Town Stadium on Sunday.
The friendly match will follow the Vodacom URC clash between the Stormers and Dragons, which kicks off at 3pm.
Stormers Rugby recently formed a strategic partnership with the American outfit, which will see some tactical exchanges of coaches and players across the Atlantic to the benefit of both clubs.
Seattle have won the Major League Rugby title twice and have a close relationship with current Super Bowl champions the Seattle Seahawks, sharing technical insights with the NFL side.
The Stormers XXIII side features several players with significant experience, alongside some talented young players who will all benefit from the outing against a competitive Seawolves team.
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With the upcoming SA Rugby U23 Cup allowing each team to feature up to seven over-age players in each match 23, with up to four such players in the starting line-up, the Stormers XXIII will regularly feature senior players who require competitive game time.
The likes of JC Mars, Josh Boulle, Keke Morabe, Divan Fuller, Oli Kebble, Jean-Luc du Plessis and Bruce Sherwood all make their return from stints on the sideline with injuries.
The electric Mars is at fullback with Suleiman Hartzenberg and Joel Leotlela on the wings, while former Junior Boks centre Boulle forms a midfield partnership with Jonathan Roche. Dewaldt Duvenage will combine with Jurie Matthee at halfback and the extended bench will see Du Plessis, Sherwood, Luke Burger and Mfundo Ndhlovu all get a run.
Up front Kebble starts alongside hooker Lukhanyo Vokozela and the young Herman Lubbe, with Junior Bok Olly Reid, hookers Luca Bakkes and Vernon Paulo and the experienced Hencus van Wyk all among the replacements.
Morabe and Fuller form a loose trio with Louw Nel, and in the second row Gary Porter links up with Connor Evans while young Tom Barnard, Reuben Kruger and Torren February are all set to feature from the extended bench.
Director of rugby John Dobson says this match marks the start of what is set to be a fruitful partnership for the two clubs.
“Having worked with the Seawolves coaches over the last few weeks, we are really excited about what we can learn from each other. They have some incredible insights and hopefully this partnership will be mutually beneficial.
“This match is a fantastic opportunity for us to give meaningful game time to those players who will not be involved in the match against the Dragons as we keep looking to build the depth of our squad.”
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Stormers XXIII head coach Labeeb Levy said that the goal is for every player to benefit from this outing.
“We have some players returning from injury, others looking to show that they can make a difference for the Stormers when called upon and some talented young players who will play an important role for us in the upcoming campaign. What they all have in common is that they are looking to impress and play our brand of rugby.
“This should make for an exciting game to watch and anyone who is interested in who is coming through our system will get the chance to see what they can do against an impressive Seawolves team.”
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Stormers XXIII – 15 JC Mars, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Josh Boulle, 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Joel Leotlela, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Keke Morabe, 7 Divan Fuller, 6 Louw Nel, 5 Gary Porter, 4 Connor Evans, 3 Herman Lubbe, 2 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 1 Oli Kebble.
Bench: 16 Luca Bakkes, 17 Olly Reid, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Vernon Paulo, 20 Tom Barnard, 21 Reuben Kruger, 22 Torren February, 23 Adeeb Borraine, 24 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 25 Luke Burger, 26 Bruce Sherwood, 27 Mfundo Ndhlovu.
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
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