There are three injury-enforced changes to the Stormers starting line-up for their United Rugby Championship semifinal against Leinster in Dublin on Saturday.
Injuries to wing Seabelo Senatla, flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and lock Ruben van Heerden in the quarterfinal inal win against Cardiff in Cape Town last week have resulted in Wandisile Simelane, Jurie Matthee and Connor Evans stepping in for the knock-out match at the Aviva Stadium, which kicks off at 18:30 on Saturday.
There is just one change on the replacements bench, with Warrick Gelant coming into the matchday squad to provide backline cover with Matthee starting at flyhalf.
Captain Ruhan Nel and his midfield partner Dan du Plessis will become the most-capped Stormers centre pairing as they make their 31st start together, to go past De Wet Barry and Marius Joubert.
Director of Rugby John Dobson said that his team will have to be at their best to beat the defending champions on their home ground.
“This will be a big challenge for everyone involved against a team with a great pedigree and formidable home record, but these are the occasions we live for, and I have no doubt that our team will put in a worthy performance,” he told the Stormers’ website.
“We lost a few players last week, but those coming in have all played important roles in this campaign and are ready to give their all on Saturday.
“We have earned the chance to play for a place in the Grand Final, and it will come down to a big 80 minutes. This team will not leave anything out there as we aim to do our fans proud.”
Stormers – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Wandisile Simelane, 13 Ruhan Nel (c), 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Imad Khan, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Connor Evans, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Salmaan Moerat, 20 Ruan Ackermann, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Stefan Ungerer, 23 Warrick Gelant
