The Stormers will have everything to play for when Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash kicks off against the Glasgow Warriors.
A win would see them climb to the top of the table or remain in second place, depending on Leinster’s result, to remain in a strong position for a home quarter-final, and to make up for their disappointing defeat against Connacht last week.
The Stormers’ clash in Cape Town will kick off at 13:45
With home ground advantage and the inspiration of leaping further up the table set to fuel their motivation immensely, the Capetonians will have everything to play for. However, they will be wary of the fact that the visitors will be hellbent on avenging their big defeat last week against the Lions, and to hold onto their first-place standing, which has all the makings for a gripping encounter.
The Stormers will also want to keep their impressive home-win track record intact after only suffering two defeats at home in the competition this season. But with the tournament at a knife’s edge, with a handful of teams still able to overtake them on the table in the next two weeks, and a tour to Ireland and Wales lying ahead, there will be no lack of motivation.
Exciting debut on the cards
Markus Muller will become the youngest-ever player to represent the Stormers if he comes off the bench, with coach John Dobson stating that he had full faith in the 18-year-old.
“We wanted to play Markus this season,” Dobson explained. “He’s a great player and it’s important to show that if you come through our system, you’ll get an opportunity.
“Our plan is to give him 10 or 15 minutes at a high level. He’s probably not the first guy on, but we want him to experience it.”
Match information
Date: Saturday, 25 April
Venue: DHL Stadium, Cape Town
SA Time: 13:45
Referee: Eoghan Cross
TV: SuperSport
Teams:
Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Wandisile Simelane, 13 Ruhan Nel (captain), 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Adré Smith, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotzé, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Marcel Theunissen, 20 Keke Morabe, 21 Imad Khan, 22 Jurie Matthee, 23 Markus Muller.
Glasgow Warriors: 15 Kyle Rowe, 14 Kyle Steyn (captain), 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Ollie Smith, 10 Adam Hastings, 9 Ben Afshar, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Angus Fraser, 6 Euan Ferrie, 5 Alex Samuel, 4 Ryan Burke, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 Gregor Hiddleston, 1 Patrick Schickerling.
Replacements: 16 Johnny Matthews, 17 Nathan McBeth, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Dylan Cockburn, 20 Jare Oguntibeju, 21 Sione Vailanu, 22 Stafford McDowall, 23 Jack Oliver.
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