Manie Libbok back as Stormers ring changes for Cardiff clash

The Stormers have made 10 changes to the starting team that beat Dragons last weekend for their final United Rugby Championship (URC) pool clash against Cardiff at the Cape Town Stadium on Friday night (kick-off 7pm), with Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok returning from injury.

Young Suleiman Hartzenberg will also start the match on the wing, making his 50^th Stormers appearance just a few days shy of his 22^nd birthday, which is an incredible achievement at such a young age.

The Stormers will be hunting a fourth straight win to end the pool phase on a high, and to make sure they secure fifth place on the URC log to give them a slightly easier quarterfinal match-up.

Hartzenberg is joined by Leolin Zas and Damian Willemse in a potent back three, with Wandisile Simelane joined by Dan du Plessis in midfield, while Libbok will be partnered by fellow Springbok Herschel Jantjies at halfback.

Scrumhalf Paul de Wet, utility back Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and wing Ben Loader will provide impact in the second half from the replacements bench.

Forward changes

Up front tighthead prop Neethling Fouché makes his return from suspension and will line up alongside Sti Sithole and Joseph Dweba in the front row.

Captain Salmaan Moerat is joined by JD Schickerling in the second row, with Dave Ewers and Louw Nel on the flanks and Marcel Theunissen at the back of the scrum.

Experienced hooker Scarra Ntubeni features on a replacements bench that also includes the likes of props Vernon Matongo and Sazi Sandi as well as lock Connor Evans and flank Paul de Villiers.

Director of Rugby John Dobson said that his side understands that they will need to be at their best to continue the winning momentum they have built up in the last month.

“The last three matches at home have seen us gain some confidence and secure our play-off spot with a game to go, but we know we are in for a big test against a Cardiff side that has it all to play for.

“We have made some changes to ensure that we have enough players with recent gametime heading into the play-offs and we are looking forward to seeing what those coming into the mix this week can do.

“We are also very aware that we are unlikely to play at home again this season, so we want to put together a good performance for the fans that have shown us such incredible support,” he said.

STORMERS XV

Damian Willemse, Suleiman Hartzenberg, Wandisile Simelane, Dan du Plessis, Leolin Zas, Manie Libbok, Herschel Jantjies, Marcel Theunissen, Louw Nel, Dave Ewers, JD Schickerling, Salmaan Moerat (c), Neethling Fouché, Joseph Dweba, Sti Sithole

Bench: Scarra Ntubeni, Vernon Matongo, Sazi Sandi, Connor Evans, Paul de Villiers, Paul de Wet, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ben Loader.