Van Heerden brings up DHL Stormers 50

Lock Ruben van Heerden will pay his 50th match for the DHL Stormers in the Vodacom URC clash with Connacht at DHL Stadium on Saturday.

The DHL Stormers start a crucial run of four home games to end the league phase of the season when they take on the Irish side at 4pm on Saturday.

Outside backs Warrick Gelant and Seabelo Senatla both make their return from injury, which means that Damian Willemse shifts to the midfield where he will partner Dan du Plessis. The only other change to the starting backline sees a fit-again Stefan Ungerer come in at scrumhalf.

There are two changes to the front row, with André-Hugo Venter starting at hooker and Sazi Sandi at tighthead in place of the suspended Neethling Fouché, with Frans Malherbe unavailable due to injury.

Captain Salmaan Moerat makes his return from a minor foot injury to take his place in the second row alongside Van Heerden, while Paul de Villiers makes his first start at openside flank.

The replacements bench features the return of lock JD Schickerling from injury and includes the experienced Brok Harris, Deon Fourie, Paul de Wet and Ben Loader, while loosehead prop Vernon Matongo is set to make his first Vodacom URC appearance.

Director of Rugby John Dobson said that his team cannot wait to play in front of their fans once again.

“It has been more than two months since we played at home and we are really excited to see what this team can do on Saturday.

“We have got some key players back in the mix and the build-up has been good. We understand just how important this run of games is in the context of our season and will be going all-out to make our supporters proud,” he said.

DHL Stormers starting XV: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Dan du Plessis, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Seabelo Senatla; 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Stefan Ungerer; 8 Evan Roos, 7 Marcel Theunissen, 6 Paul de Villiers; 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Salmaan Moerat (capt); 3 Sazi Sandi, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Ali Vermaak. Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Brok Harris, 19 JD Schickerling, 20 Louw Nel, 21 Deon Fourie, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Ben Loader.

SATURDAY

DHL Stormers v Connacht

DHL Stadium, Cape Town – KO 3pm IRE & UK/4pm ITA & SA

Referee: Sam Grove-White (SRU, 52nd league game)

AR 1: Cwengile Jadezweni (SARU) AR 2: Stephan Geldenhuys (SARU)

TMO: Hollie Davidson (SRU)

Live on: SuperSport, RTÉ, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv