The Stormers have named the side that will face New Zealand at Cape Town Stadium for the first time in the club’s history, with outside centre Ruhan Nel appointed captain for the visitors’ opening tour match.
The game will take place on Friday, 7 August, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00. It represents a significant occasion for the Stormers, who will face an international team ranked second in the world.
Nel will lead the team from outside centre, where he will line up alongside Jonathan Roche in midfield. Twenty-year-old fly-half Yaqeen Ahmed is set to make his first appearance for the Stormers and will combine with scrum-half Imad Khan.
Warrick Gelant starts at full-back, with Seabelo Senatla and Leolin Zas named on the wings. The Stormers will have further experience and versatility available among their replacements, with Dewaldt Duvenage and Wandisile Simelane included on the bench.
Andre-Hugo Venter starts at hooker, with Vernon Matongo and Neethling Fouche selected as the two props. JJ Kotze, Ntuthuko Mchunu and Sazi Sandi provide front-row cover among the replacements.
Adre Smith and Connor Evans form the second-row partnership, while Ruan Ackermann is expected to add impact in the second half.
The loose trio of Evan Roos, Hacjivah Dayimani and Deon Fourie is the same combination that started the 2022 URC Grand Final. That match saw the Stormers win the inaugural title at Cape Town Stadium.
Keke Morabe and Wandile Mlaba have been rewarded for their impressive Currie Cup form with places on the replacements bench.
Director of Rugby John Dobson said the Stormers were ready to embrace the significance of the fixture and make the occasion memorable for their supporters.
“This is history in the making as the Stormers take on New Zealand for the first time, and our team is determined to make it one to remember for our fans.
“For a club side to take on an international team ranked second in the world is a massive opportunity and one that every player and management member is looking forward to,” he said.
The Stormers’ starting line-up is:
15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel (captain), 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Yaqeen Ahmed, 9 Imad Khan, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Connor Evans, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Vernon Matongo.
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Ruan Ackermann, 20 Keke Morabe, 21 Wandile Mlaba, 22 Dewaldt Duvenage, 23 Wandisile Simelane.
The Stormers’ final match details remain listed as TBA.
