The Stormers will open their United Rugby Championship (URC) title defence this weekend and will field two debutants in the starting line-up. Clayton Blommetjies, who made the move down to Cape Town from the Cheetahs, will start at fullback. The 19-year-old Suleiman Hartzenberg will meanwhile start at centre.
Rugby fans are sure to know the name Blommetjies, but Hartzenberg might be an unfamiliar one at this stage. However, all thoughts of doubt and concern will immediately diminish when you see what this kid can do.
Mans’ got gas to burn.
The rest of the team lines up as expected. Most of the Stormers players who featured in last year’s successful URC campaign return to the setup.
Alapati Leiua, who made the move down to Cape Town earlier in the week, will meanwhile not feature in this encounter.
Big day for @alapatz, first training session with the boys on his birthday. Earned that 🎂#iamastormer #dhldelivers pic.twitter.com/5qGTVSbTDJ
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) September 21, 2022
Target on the back
The Stormers will launch their title defence in the second round of the URC on Saturday. While it won’t be on their actual home ground, the DHL stadium, they will surely feel the love in Stellenbosch.
Most of the Stormers contingent have fond memories of the Danie Craven stadium, playing for Maties during their time at University.
The Capetonians host Irish side, Connacht, and the Stormers will have a score to settle. The Galway men narrowly beat the Stormers in harsh winter conditions in the Northern Hemisphere in February.
That turned out to be the last Stormers loss of the 2021/22 campaign, as the men from Cape Town went on a rampage. A rampage that took them straight to the inaugural URC Title.
However, it’s a new season and the Stormers will have to do it all again. According to Stormers coach, John Dobson, his men are ready to go.
“We have seen the likes of Clayton, Suleiman and some of the others show some real promise in our pre-season and it will be good to see how they react on Saturday,” said Dobson.
“We have got an exciting blend of youth and experience, along with more than a few players who really stepped up for us consistently last season.
“The players can’t wait to get going again and we know how important it will be to make a strong start this week, especially as we are playing in a rugby-mad place like Stellenbosch on what should be a great day for it.”
A proper festival of rugby waiting on Danie Craven
There are also massive festivities planned, for those concerned about potentially missing the Springboks Rugby Championship closer against Argentina.
There will be a beer tent with a big screen showing the Test on the fields next to the stadium. The Western Province Rugby Football Union Super League A and B Finals will meanwhile be played directly after the Stormers game, at 17h00 and 19h00.
It’s a big day of rugby in Stellenbosch tomorrow. Stick around after our game to watch the WPRFU Super League finals or head to the beer tent to watch the Boks. #iamastormer #dhldelivers pic.twitter.com/GMGfS1DbbW
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) September 23, 2022
The Team
DHL Stormers: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Junior Pokomela, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Ernst van Rhyn (captain), 3 Brok Harris, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Ali Vermaak.
Replacements: 16 Chad Solomon, 17 Kwenzo Blose, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Adré Smith, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Willie Engelbrecht, 22 Godlen Masimla, 23 Sacha Mngomezulu.
⛰️ Kicking things off in Stellenbosch
⛈️ Reunited with the Faithful
🍻 Free beers for the students
🇿🇦 Celebrating Heritage Day
🎫 Tickets here https://t.co/cvzp5JfUfJ#iamastormer @Vodacom #URC #dhldelivers pic.twitter.com/0mXyaDYHu7— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) September 21, 2022
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