Injury Blow! Three Key Stormers Stars Ruled Out Ahead Of Brutal Leinster Semi-Final

Following the bruising battle in their quarter-final victory over Cardiff last week, the DHL Stormers have been forced into three changes to their starting line-up for Saturday’s URC semi-final against Leinster in Dublin.

Injuries to wing Seabelo Senatla, flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and lock Ruben van Heerden have resulted in Wandisile Simelane, Jurie Matthee and Connor Evans being drafted into the starting XV for the knockout clash at Aviva Stadium, which kicks off at 18:30 SAST.

Van Heerden travelled with the squad to Ireland but was unable to recover from the head injury he sustained in last week’s victory.

There is just one change on the replacements bench, with Warrick Gelant returning to the matchday squad to provide backline cover following Matthee’s promotion to the starting line-up at flyhalf. The Stormers have once again opted for a 6-2 bench split.

Captain Ruhan Nel and midfield partner Dan du Plessis will become the most-capped centre pairing in DHL Stormers history when they make their 31st start together, surpassing the previous record held by De Wet Barry and Marius Joubert.

Director of Rugby John Dobson said his side will need to be at their very best to overcome the defending champions on their home turf.

“This will be a big challenge for everyone involved against a team with a great pedigree and a formidable home record, but these are the occasions we live for, and I have no doubt that our team will put in a worthy performance.

“We lost a few players last week, but those coming in have all played important roles in this campaign and are ready to give their all on Saturday.

“We have earned the chance to play for a place in the Grand Final, and it will come down to a massive 80 minutes. This team will not leave anything out there as we aim to do our fans proud,” he said.

DHL Stormers:

15 Damian Willemse, 14 Wandisile Simelane, 13 Ruhan Nel (captain), 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Imad Khan, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Connor Evans, 4 Adré Smith, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.

Replacements:

16 JJ Kotzé, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Salmaan Moerat, 20 Ruan Ackermann, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Stefan Ungerer, 23 Warrick Gelant.