The Stormers have given Springbok fullback Warrick Gelant a much-anticipated start in one of a couple of changes to the team to face the Sharks in Cape Town on Saturday.
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Gelant, who has been named on the bench in the past two Vodacom United Rugby Championship matches, switches with Damian Willemse in a rotational change. This means that Willemse will play off the bench at Cape Town Stadium, as opposed to shifting to flyhalf or centre.
In the only other change to the starting lineup, Brok Harris starts at tighthead prop, with youngster Sazi Sandi moving to the bench. Harris will be making his 100th appearance for the Stormers.
The Stormers have welcomed utility forward Ben-Jason Dixon back to fitness and he will make his first URC appearance off the bench, adding some much-needed depth at lock.
Stormers head coach John Dobson paid tribute to Harris, who has always gone above and beyond the call of duty for his team.
“We brought Brok in as a scrum consultant this season, hoping to benefit from his knowledge of the United Rugby Championship teams and conditions. His performances on the pitch have been remarkable and there is nobody who deserves this milestone more than him,” he said.
Dobson added that he is looking forward to seeing the impact that Gelant and Willemse can make at Cape Town Stadium, having switched roles this week.
“Warrick was always going to start this game as per our plan and having someone like Damian on the bench affords us the luxury of an extra forward replacement. Both of them are in incredible form and will play vital roles on Saturday.”
Stormers – 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Ernst van Rhyn, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff (c)
Subs: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Ben-Jason Dixon, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Nama Xaba, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Damian Willemse.
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
