He’s Back! Kolisi Named To Make First Stormers Appearance In Five Years
Siya Kolisi will play for the DHL Stormers for the first time in more than five years when they face Edinburgh in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship at Hive Stadium on Friday night.
Having returned to the team where he began his professional career, Kolisi will earn his 119th DHL Stormers cap when he takes the field in Edinburgh, with kick-off scheduled for 20:45 SAST on Friday.
Kolisi starts at openside flank, with Louw Nel moving to blindside flank and Riley Norton coming into the second row. The only other change to the forward pack sees Ntuthuko Mchunu start in the front row this week.
In the backline, Stefan Ungerer and Yaqeen Ahmed come in at halfback and flyhalf respectively.
There is one new face on the replacements bench, with Wandile Mlaba providing loose-forward cover.
Director of Rugby John Dobson said the focus is on ending the tour with a win before returning home to Cape Town for four consecutive home games.
“Last week’s performance against Connacht was encouraging in many ways, but we would like to see a more ruthless edge to our game, which we have worked on this week.
“We know that Edinburgh is a tough place to play and we have some experience coming in, with Siya, Ntuthuko and Stefan included, along with Yaqeen Ahmed and Wandile Mlaba, who are both really exciting young players.
“It will take a big effort from all 23 players to get the result before we go back to Cape Town for what will be a crucial period in the context of our season,” he said.
DHL Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel (captain), 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Yaqeen Ahmed, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Louw Nel, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Riley Norton, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements: 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Adré Smith, 21 Wandile Mlaba, 22 Andre Warner, 23 Wandisile Simelane.
