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Stormers change it up for Benetton battle: Willemse at centre, Roos back in starting XV

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Evan Roos on the charge against Munster. (Photo by Carl Fourie/Gallo Images)
Evan Roos on the charge against Munster. (Photo by Carl Fourie/Gallo Images)
  • Damian Willemse has been moved from fullback to centre for the Stormers' URC clash against Benetton.
  • Evan Roos is also back in the starting team at No 8, while France Malherbe and Joseph Dweba will play off the bench.
  • Scrumhalf Paul de Wet will earn his 50th Stormers cap.


Stormers coach John Dobson has made a number of changes to his team for their URC clash against Benetton in Stellenbosch.

Friday's clash at the Danie Craven Stadium is their final match of the regular season.

In changes to the Stormers team that lost 26-24 to Munster in Cape Town last weekend, Clayton Blommetjies comes in at fullback as Damian Willemse moves to inside centre to partner Dan du Plessis in midfield. 

Centre Ruhan Nel moves to the bench, while Angelo Davids comes in at right wing for Suleiman Hartzenberg. 

Springbok Evan Roos, who made a return from injury off the bench last week, will start at No 8 as Hacjivah Dayimani moves to blindside flank in place of Ben-Jason Dixon.

There are two changes to the front row, with prop Neethling Fouche and hooker JJ Kotze coming into the starting line-up. Springboks Frans Malherbe and Joseph Dweba move to the bench. 

It will also be a milestone game for scrumhalf Paul de Wet, who notches his 50th Stormers cap.

Stormers team:

15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Dan du Plessis, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Willie Engelbrecht, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 JJ Kotze, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain)

Substitutes: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Ernst van Rhyn, 20 Ben-Jason Dixon, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Herschel Jantjies, 23 Ruhan Nel

Dobson said that it was important to give all the players enough game time ahead of the quarter-finals.

"We have made a few rotational changes to make sure that everyone will be ready to perform in the knockout phase of the coopetition.

"We want to raise our game and put in a confidence-building performance to take some momentum forward," Dobson said.

Friday's clash kicks off at 18:30.


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