Cape Town rugby fans, brace yourselves! The DHL Stormers are making a whopping eight changes to their lineup for their Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) clash against Benetton in Treviso this Saturday. After a dominant 31-13 victory over Zebre Parma, securing their fourth straight win and maintaining their top spot in the URC standings, coach John Dobson is shaking things up.
Reinach's Debut and Duvenage's Farewell?
Springbok scrumhalf Cobus Reinach is set to make his Stormers debut off the bench. Having joined the team from France, Reinach finally gets his chance to shine. Meanwhile, veteran Dewaldt Duvenage surprisingly gets the starting nod over Stefan Ungerer. This could be Duvenage's last hurrah in Treviso, a city where he previously played, as he transitions into a coaching role.
Front Five Overhaul and Moerat's Return
Dobson has opted for a completely new front five, showcasing the depth within the Stormers squad. Salmaan Moerat, a seasoned Springbok and Stormers captain, returns from injury to partner with JD Schickerling in the second row. Vernon Matongo continues his impressive run, replacing Ali Vermaak, while Oli Kebble makes his second Stormers debut off the bench. Andre-Hugo Venter takes the hooker position, with Zachary Porthen moving to the bench.
Willemse Stays Put
Despite Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu heading home for a well-deserved rest before the Springbok tour, Damian Willemse remains a key figure in the lineup.
Will these changes disrupt the Stormers' winning streak, or will their squad depth prove too much for Benetton? All eyes will be on Treviso this Saturday to see how Dobson's gamble plays out. The Stormers' ability to maintain their winning form with such significant changes speaks volumes about the strength and depth they are building.