The Stormers have made four significant changes to their starting XV, aimed at bolstering their performance, especially in the scrums, against the Bulls on Saturday.
It's the second North vs South derby of the United Rugby Championship (URC) and the Cape side will look to peg one back at Loftus Versfeld (5pm start) after losing to their arch-rivals in the Mother City earlier.
Here is your DHL Stormers team for the @Vodacom #URC Origin Round match at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) February 28, 2025
📢 Team announcement https://t.co/q3YyCDaEpU#BULvSTO #iamastormer #OriginRound pic.twitter.com/w04DCbhdv6
In the backline, wing Leolin Zas returns after recovering from an illness that had sidelined him during the clash against the Lions a fortnight ago. His inclusion is expected to add speed and agility to the Stormers' attack, and he is also a prolific box-kick chaser and fielder. He will be crucial in nullifying the Bulls' aerial attack.
Alongside him, scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer is brought into the mix for a second time against the Pretoria side, looking to orchestrate the gameplay from an important position on the field.
The Stormers brought in tighthead Neethling Fouche and Joseph Dweba to bolster their scrum ahead of the North-South derby against the Bulls. Winger Leolin Zas returns at the back, with Stefan Ungerer the starting scrumhalf #URC #BULvSTO
— Leighton Koopman (@Leighton_K) February 28, 2025
The front row also sees two new faces. Hooker Joseph Dweba and tighthead prop Neethling Fouche will take their places as starters, replacing the experience of Brok Harris and Frans Malherbe, both of whom are set to come off the replacements bench.
This shake-up aims to bring fresh energy and resilience to the scrum, a critical aspect of the game against a formidable Bulls set piece.
John Dobson, Stormers director of rugby, said they've had an excellent two weeks of preparation for the tussle.
The DHL Stormers are a long way clear of their South African rivals in the #VURC 🤯🌩️
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) February 27, 2025
Can they extend their lead this weekend? 😏 pic.twitter.com/SNCE6EJImT
"Travelling to Loftus Versfeld is always an exciting challenge for a Stormers team," he said.
"We have kept some good continuity and expect to see a higher standard across the board as we look to rise to what should be another big occasion."
Stormers Team
15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Ben Loader, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Salmaan Moerat (captain), 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Ali Vermaak.
Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Gary Porter, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Willie Engelbrecht, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Jonathan Roche.