Stormers give their leader a break
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Damian Willemse will celebrate a half-century of Stormers caps in the United Rugby Championship clash with Zebre Parma in Stellenbosch on Sunday.
The Stormers will be playing their first-ever competitive match at the Danie Craven Stadium, as well as their first home game against European opposition.
The 23-year-old Willemse made his Stormers debut in 2017 at the age of just 18 and will start at inside centre against the Italian side this weekend.
The team will be led by experienced flank Deon Fourie in the absence of regular skipper Steven Kitshoff, who is being rested as part of a Springbok player management plan.
Warrick Gelant is fit to take his place at fullback, with Leolin Zas starting on the wing in a rotational change following some impressive performances for Western Province in the Currie Cup.
Brok Harris shifts across to loosehead prop, with Neethling Fouche starting at tighthead, while Hacjivah Dayimani is back in the starting line-up on the flank.
Stormers head coach John Dobson said that his team is looking forward to what will be a special occasion in Stellenbosch.
"We want to make the most of the special atmosphere at the Danie Craven Stadium on Sunday and produce some good rugby.
"It is great to be back on home soil and the team has worked very hard this week. We know this is the start of an important run of home games for us and we want to make sure we are as accurate as possible in all areas,” he said.
Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Deon Fourie (captain), 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Brok Harris.
Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Ernst van Rhyn, 20 Junior Pokomela, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Tim Swiel, 23 Rikus Pretorius.
Date: Sunday, March 13
Venue: Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
Kick-off: 18.05 (17.05 Italy time; 16.05 GMT)
Referee: Adam Jones (Wales)
Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa), Morne Fereirra (South Africa)
TMO: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)