The Stormers have made six changes to their starting XV for Saturday’s top-of-the-table Vodacom URC clash against the Glasgow Warriors in Cape Town.
Damian Willemse returns to fullback from the right wing, with Warrick Gelant dropping out of the match 23 and Wandisile Simelane wearing the No 14 jersey.
Teenage star Markus Muller is set to make his Stormers debut off the bench and join Willemse as the only players to do so before their 19th birthdays.
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In changes to the pack, prop Neethling Fouché and hooker André-Hugo Venter come in for Zac Porthen and Scarra Ntubeni respectively, with Porthen dropping down to the bench.
The long-term injury to lock JD Schickerling sees Ruben van Heerden partner Adré Smith in the second row, while Paul de Villiers replaces veteran Deon Fourie at openside flank.
Hooker JJ Kotze, loose forward Keke Morabe, scrumhalf Imad Khan, flyhalf Jurie Matthee and midfielder Muller come on to the bench.
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“With the playoffs getting closer all the time, it is important that we make the most of this opportunity to play at home in front of our fans,” said director of rugby John Dobson.
“It has been a good week of training, and we are looking forward to seeing what the players coming into the mix can add in what is a crucial match against a strong Glasgow team.”
Dobson also praised flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who will be making his 50th appearance for the club.
“There is a lot expected of Sacha, and he handles the pressure so well. He will be a key player in our squad for years to come, and hopefully we can make this match memorable for him.”
STORMERS – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Wandisile Simelane, 13 Ruhan Nel (c), 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Adré Smith, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Bench: 16 JJ Kotzé, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Marcel Theunissen, 20 Keke Morabe, 21 Imad Khan, 22 Jurie Matthee, 23 Markus Muller.
Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images
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