Key players return as Fourie leads Stormers against Sharks
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Flank Deon Fourie will captain the Stormers in their United Rugby Championship encounter with the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.
The experienced Fourie leads a team which has been boosted by the inclusion of a number of key players for the coastal clash at Kings Park.
In the backline, wing Seabelo Senatla makes his return from injury, while fullback Clayton Blommetjies, inside centre Dan du Plessis, flyhalf Manie Libbok and scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies all join him in the starting line-up.
Up front hooker Joseph Dweba, prop Neethling Fouche and Fourie all come back after resting last week, while lock Gary Porter returns from injury to partner Ruben van Heerden in the second row.
Marcel Theunissen will be at the back of the scrum, with Junior Pokomela back in the mix at blindside flank.
There is a potential Stormers debut for loose forward Keke Morabe, who is joined on the replacements bench by two backs in Paul de Wet and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
Stormers head coach John Dobson said that the returning players are all keen to make their mark in the coastal clash.
"The players we rested last week have all played a prominent role in our preparations this week, which is very encouraging.
"Any South African derby away from home is a tough assignment, so we will have to be as sharp as ever," he said.
Stormers: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Marcel Theunissen, 7 Junior Pokomela, 6 Deon Fourie (captain), 5 Gary Porter, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Brok Harris.
Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Ben-Jason Dixon, 20 Willie Engelbrecht, 21 Keke Morabe, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
Date: Saturday, February 4
Kick-off: 14.00 (12.00 GMT)
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen, Griffin Colby
TMO: Marius Jonker