The Stormers reverted to a 6-2 replacement bench split in favour of the forwards and were boosted by the return of two of their scrummaging props ahead of the derby against the Lions on Saturday (2.30 pm kick-off).
Veteran Ali Vermaak was parachuted right back into the number 1 jersey, while tighthead Neethling Fouche forms part of the bench with both having missed the North vs South duel last weekend. Veteran Frans Malherbe is set for his 150th clash for the Cape side.
“Frans made his Stormers debut 14 years ago and has achieved so much in that time”
“Frans made his Stormers debut 14 years ago and has achieved so much in that time. It is very rare these days to see someone play that long for one team, especially a player of his stature,” director of rugby John Dobson said about the stalwart.
“He has the respect of everyone he plays with and against and his contribution to this team over the years has been immense.”
The inclusion of Vermaak and Fouche will boost the Stormers' scrum, which struggled to contain the Pretoria side in the narrow 33-32 loss in Cape Town.
Lions v Stormers tomorrow going to be many things , but it is not going to be boring !!@SSRugby please can you hook up Dobbo and Cash with heart monitors ? pic.twitter.com/90BkpU0Qen
— Oom Rugby (@Oom_Rugby) February 14, 2025
While the inaugural URC winners are still ahead of their hosts on the official points log, a loss in Johannesburg will see them overtaken by their opponents should they not get any points from the match.
So, they must do everything possible to prevent the Jozi side from getting a first win over them at Ellis Park in the tournament.
An extra back on the bench could've provided the Capetonians with more options on the attack, but sending on a 'Bomb Squad' in the second half up front could be key to maintaining their dominance over the Lions.
Vermaak and hooker JJ Kotze are the only changes to the forwards that faced the Bulls, while winger Angelo Davids and scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies step into the backline as the two changes.
Replacement scrumhalf Paul de Wet and utility back Jonathan Roche are the backs on the bench.
“We have opted for continuity this weekend and hopefully that will see us improve our performance. We will need to be at our best as it is always tough to win up on the highveld, especially with an afternoon kick-off.”
Stormers starting XV: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Ben Loader, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Salmaan Moerat (capt), 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 JJ Kotze, 1 Ali Vermaak; Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Gary Porter, 20 Paul de Villiers, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Jonathan Roche