The Stormers will field a young side against the Scarlets in the United Rugby Championship (URC) at DHL Stadium on Saturday. Kick-off in Cape Town is at 4pm.
Several Springboks and settled combinations are missing from the team. Director of rugby John Dobson has mixed young players with experienced men ahead of the November break, IOL reported.
“I feel like it’s one of the most progressive Stormers teams we’ve put out,” Dobson said ahead of the match.
“From my point of view, in terms of the longer-term picture, it’s fantastic to be able to select this team without compromising on quality at all. It’s a progressive team with a progressive young captain. It’s very brave in terms of the internationals we’ve selected,” he said.
Young tighthead prop Zachary Porthen is one of the players who will look to make his mark. Dobson named Porthen as one of four junior players in the match day squad.
“Zack Porthen, for example, has a big future. Olly Reed is a player we’re really excited about. Markus, we think, is going to be a very, very good No 12,” Dobson said.
The other two junior players are flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed and utility forward Riley Norton. Reed is listed as a replacement loosehead prop.
New scrumhalf Haashim Pead will start alongside flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. Markus Muller will partner outside centre Wandisile Simelane in the midfield.
Muller gets his chance because Jonathan Roche is out with a concussion. Roche picked up the injury in the match against Bristol.
Roche had been playing well at inside centre next to captain Ruhan Nel and Simelane. Dobson said the team had wanted to keep him in the midfield.
Muller has played only a few minutes of Stormers rugby. His only outing came against Glasgow Warriors near the end of last season.
“Look, we wanted to get Markus a game. He only played 14 minutes against Glasgow, so it actually worked out perfectly for us,” Dobson said.
Dobson also spoke about a report that Roche was thinking about his future when his contract came up. He said that was not true.
“He’s never considered anything other than playing for the Stormers in South Africa. I’m pleased that his agent refuted that, so Johnny’s absence is purely because of concussion,” Dobson said.
IOL reported that the many changes could leave the Stormers open to an upset. It said the team should still be strong enough to win.
The Scarlets have never beaten the Stormers in the URC, according to IOL.
The Stormers face Ulster the following weekend. IOL reported that Dobson could again make changes in that game as he gets all his players up to speed.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL Sport. Image: IOL Sport. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Sports desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Tiyani Mathebula writes about sport for Tzaneen Voice. Tiyani covers Bafana Bafana, the Springboks, the Proteas and the PSL, along with athletics, tennis and local club sport. Match reports and previews focus on results, team news, fixtures and what each game means for South African teams and fans.