Fit-again forwards Deon Fourie and Marvin Orie will both start for the DHL Stormers in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship final against Munster in Cape Town on Saturday.
Both players missed the semi-final due to injury, but will take their places in the Stormers’ starting line-up for the showpiece match, which kicks off at 6.30pm on Saturday.
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The backline that started in the semifinal win against Connacht is unchanged, with Clayton Blommetjies on the bench in place of the injured Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
Fourie and Orie come in, which means that hooker Joseph Dweba and lock Ruben van Heerden are the only starting forwards that did not feature in the grand final at DHL Stadium last season.
John Dobson said that it is a major boost to have Fourie and Orie back.
“Both Deon and Marvin have been outstanding for us this season and they will add a lot both in terms of their ability and leadership on Saturday.
“We have a lot of respect for Munster, the truth is that we have never beaten them, so while we are thrilled to be playing at home we know it will be a big challenge against a good team.
“This will be the biggest crowd for any Stormers match and it should be an amazing occasion for the team, our passionate supporters and the city of Cape Town.
“We are so grateful for the support that we enjoy and what this team means to so many people. We will do our best to soak up the atmosphere, enjoy every moment and play the kind of rugby that got us here,” he said.
Stormers – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Steven Kitshoff (c).
Subs: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Ben-Jason Dixon, 20 Willie Engelbrecht, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Clayton Blommetjies.
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Photo: Shaun Roy/BackpagePix
Stormers do it again, according to @mark_keohane and Zels! @Vodacom #URC pic.twitter.com/rMeVhNk1Xj
— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) May 26, 2023