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The Cape-based side can't afford any slip-ups now as they're in eighth place on the log and being chased by four teams hot on their heels.
Winger Leolin Zas is back in the Stormers team for the match against Benetton. Picture: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
With the Stormers unable to afford any late season slip-ups, coach John Dobson has picked his strongest side for the United Rugby Championship match against highly-rated Italian team, Benetton, on Saturday, at the Cape Town Stadium.
The Stormers are currently in eighth place on the points table — the final quarter-finals spot — with just three regular season matches remaining. And hot on the heels of the Cape-based team are Scarlets, Ulster, Edinburgh and Connacht — all teams within five log points of eighth place (and the Stormers).
After this weekend’s match the Stormers face Dragons and Cardiff, all at home.
Key changes in settled team
But first up is the clash with Benetton, and it’s must-win for the Stormers, who’re coming off a close win against Connacht last weekend. And the Italian side, who beat the Lions, will be no pushovers; they’re fifth on the points table.
For this reason, Dobson has picked a strong side, bringing Leolin Zas back into the team on the wing, which means Suleiman Hartzenberg will play off the bench.
Herschel Jantjies is a newcomer to the bench this week, as is Connor Evans, who comes in for the injured Deon Fourie.
Director of Rugby John Dobson said that it was important to keep continuity in selection for what is a vital match in the context of the season.
“We know that we will have to be much better this week than we were last week, so we wanted settled combinations in place, ” said the coach.
“There was a lot we did right against Connacht and the challenge will be to ensure all aspects of our game are firing against what is a very tough Benetton side.”
Stormers team: Warrick Gelant, Seabelo Senatla, Dan du Plessis, Damian Willemse, Leolin Zas, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Stefan Ungerer, Evan Roos, Marcel Theunissen, Paul de Villiers, Ruben van Heerden, Salmaan Moerat (capt), Sazi Sandi, André-Hugo Venter, Ali Vermaak. Bench: JJ Kotze, Vernon Matongo, Brok Harris, JD Schickerling, Connor Evans, Louw Nel, Herschel Jantjies, Suleiman Hartzenberg
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