In a backline reshuffle for Sunday’s URC match against the Glasgow Warriors, Stormers head coach John Dobson has selected Damian Willemse to start as inside centre.
In the Stormers’ backline for their United Rugby Championship match against the Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium, there is a small shuffling.
Due to the restricted preparation time, Dobson has decided to make as few substitutions as possible for the Round 12 match, which begins at 17h00 South African Standard Time on Sunday.
Clayton Blommetjies will start at fullback, while Damian Willemse will partner Dan du Plessis in the midfield and Suleiman Hartzenberg will play on the wing.
As Dobson opts for continuity, only scrumhalf Imad Khan will make his Stormers debut, while wing Angelo Davids and hooker JJ Kotze join the substitutes’ bench.
The Stormers head coach stated that the team is looking forward to an entirely different challenge than what they have lately encountered at home.
Dobson stated, “This will necessitate significant adjustments on multiple fronts for our team, and it comes at a crucial time in our season.”
“We’d like to see if they can step up when they’re outside of their comfort zone, since several of these combinations have shown good improvement in the past few weeks.
The Stormers coach concluded, “While we haven’t been here long due to the travel time, our focus is on taking the next step as a team in these conditions.”
STORMERS ASSEMBLE FOR URC MATCH WITH GLASGOW WARRIORS:
15 Clayton Blommetjies, Stormers 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Dan du Plessis, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Willie Engelbrecht, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Ben-Jason Dixon, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain).
JJ Kotze (16), Brok Harris (17), Sazi Sandi (18), Connor Evans (19), Junior Pokomela (20), Marcel Theunissen (21), Imad Khan (22), and Angelo Davids (23).
»Willemse was moved to No. 12 as the Stormers modified their backline«