The Stormers have named a strong lineup for their United Rugby Championship derby against the Sharks at DHL Stadium on Saturday. The team includes 11 Springboks, seven of whom will make their first DHL Stormers appearances of the season. Director of Rugby John Dobson has unleashed maximum firepower for the Cape Town clash, which kicks off at 4pm. The Stormers will wear a striking new black kit, an homage to the iconic 1999 "Men in Black" era.
Flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is one of the returning Springboks in the Stormers' lineup. He will link up with veteran scrumhalf Cobus Reinach in a new-look halfback pairing. Damian Willemse returns at fullback, while the backline has been reloaded with Bok playmakers. Up front, tighthead prop Wilco Louw makes his first Stormers start since 2020, anchoring a formidable pack alongside Ntuthuko Mchunu and André-Hugo Venter.
In the back row, Springbok captain Siya Kolisi shifts to blindside flank to accommodate returning openside Paul de Villiers. Lock Adré Smith comes into the engine room for his first start of the campaign. The bench carries equal weight, with veteran World Cup-winning hooker Deon Fourie providing experienced cover alongside props Neethling Fouché and Vernon Matongo.
Explosive loose forward Evan Roos is primed to impact the second half, while highly rated young scrumhalf Haashim Pead is set to make his Stormers debut off the bench alongside utility back Wandisile Simelane. Dobson admitted that welcoming back his international contingent has raised the intensity ahead of their first home fixture at DHL Stadium after travelling back from Scotland following their 17-13 defeat at the hands of Edinburgh.
Dobson praised the players returning from national duty, saying they have stepped up this week and added immensely to their preparations. He described it as a tough team to select, with many quality players missing out. The Stormers' coach also expressed excitement about playing in the new "Men in Black" kit, which is a great nod to their past and resonates deeply with their supporters.
The Sharks are also gearing up for the derby, with prop Ox Nche believing a stronger sense of belief, connection, and alignment has sparked a noticeable culture shift at the team. The Sharks expect an even sterner examination from the Stormers, particularly in the set-piece department, after laying down a dominant platform against Leinster.
The Stormers and Sharks are set to clash in a heavyweight scrum battle, with two Springbok-packed forward units colliding in Cape Town. The match promises to be an intense and physical encounter, with both teams eager to make a statement in the United Rugby Championship.
Key points
- Stormers name 11 Springboks in lineup for URC derby against Sharks.
- Returning Springboks include Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Damian Willemse, and Siya Kolisi.
- The match kicks off at 4pm on Saturday at DHL Stadium in Cape Town.
