The Stormers have received a significant boost ahead of their Investec Champions Cup clash with La Rochelle, as the team welcomes back two key players following a lock's suspension. With the return of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Cobus Reinach, the Stormers' starting XV is now complete, featuring nine Springboks. This comes as a relief after the loss of lock Adre Smith, who is serving a one-match ban for a stamp against Bayonne.
The team's backline includes Warrick Gelant, who has fully recovered from an illness, and the dynamic duo of Dylan Maart and Leolin Zas in the wings. Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Reinach's inclusion in the matchday squad is a strategic move to counter the absence of Adre Smith. Meanwhile, Damian Willemse, a Springboks utility back, is recovering from a hamstring issue and will be available for selection soon.
The Stormers' forward pack is led by Evan Roos, who starts at number eight, and the experienced Ben-Jason Dixon and Paul de Villiers in the back row. In the second row, JD Schickerling and Salmaan Moerat form a solid partnership, while up front, André-Hugo Venter, Neethling Fouché, and Ntuthuko Mchunu provide a strong foundation. The team's replacements bench is equally impressive, featuring the likes of JJ Kotzé, Connor Evans, Ruan Ackermann, Imad Khan, Wandisile Simelane, Oli Kebble, Sazi Sandi, and Marcel Theunissen.
Stormers director of rugby, John Dobson, expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming match, emphasizing the importance of building on their previous performance in France. He stated, 'It was great to win away from home, but we have to back it up now. We know it will take a big effort against a highly physical Stade Rochelais team.' The match, scheduled for Saturday, December 13, at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha, promises to be a thrilling encounter with Test match intensity.
