The DHL Stormers will be going all out in Stellenbosch this afternoon in an effort to take full advantage of home turf while available.
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Returning to Stellenbosch for their round two clash against the Scarlet, the Cape Town-based outfit would have taken notice of the big score posted last weekend by the Vodacom Bulls against the same opponent.
The Capetonians have not lost to the Scarlets and even though they will be without their captain Salmaan Moerat, who was injured last weekend against the Emirates Lions, John Dobson’s team will approach the outing with confidence after they kicked off the season with a full house of five log points in Johannesburg.
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Playing at the Danie Craven Stadium has also been a boon for the DHL Stormers. They’ve hosted three Vodacom URC games there and are yet to lose in the picturesque Boland town. They have also only lost once before to a Welsh club – to Cardiff a year ago (30-24).
Tighthead prop Neethling Fouche will captain the DHL Stormers after Moerat, was ruled out with a chest injury. He will be joined in the front row by experienced loosehead Ali Vermaak, while Adre Smith will take the place of Ruben van Heerden at lock.
Hacjivah Dayimani replaces openside flank Nama Xaba as the only change to the loose trio.
With a four-week tour looming, Dobson said that his side wants to make the most of the chance to play at home while they can. ‘We have a good record in Stellenbosch, with three wins from three there in the last two seasons and we want to take some momentum with us on our tour up north,’ he said. ‘There are some exciting players that have come into the starting line-up this week, but we have largely kept the core of the team together, so hopefully we can see an improvement on last week’s performance.
‘We are looking forward to playing in front of our fans in what is a rugby-mad town, it should be a great day out in Stellenbosch,’ he said.
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Picture: Stormers / Facebook