Stormers unveil strong matchday squad for Leinster clash

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Stormers welcome back a host of Springboks for their United Rugby Championship clash with Leinster in Dublin on Friday.

Captain Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe, Marvin Orie and Damian Willemse all make their return for the table-topping encounter at the RDS Arena.

Willemse is joined in midfield by Dan du Plessis, while Paul de Wet partners Manie Libbok at halfback with Herschel Jantjies and Jean-Luc du Plessis on the replacements bench.

Hacjivah Dayimani is also back in the starting line-up at No.8, with Deon Fourie and Ben-Jason Dixon on the flanks.

Orie will link up with Ruben van Heerden in the second row while Kitshoff and Malherbe will be either side of hooker Joseph Dweba at scrum time.

Stormers head coach John Dobson said that his team is looking forward to testing themselves in Dublin.

"It is great to have these Boks back in the mix this week and we are looking forward to seeing what they bring in what will be a tough game away from home.

"It has been some time since some of these players featured for us, so hopefully the game time will stand them all in good stead as we head towards the end of the season," he said.

Stormers: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Dan du Plessis, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain).

Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Ernst van Rhyn, 20 Willie Engelbrecht, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Herschel Jantjies, 23 Jean-Luc du Plessis.

Date: Friday, March 24

Venue: RDS Arena, Dublin

Kick-off: 19.35 (19.35 GMT; 21.35 SA time)

Referee: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)

Assistant referees: Peter Martin (Ireland), Keane Davison (Ireland)

TMO: Andrew McMenemy (Scotland)