Stormers team to face Benetton: De Wet reaches 50, Roos back at No 8

Clayton Blommetjies is back at fullback, Damian Willemse is at centre and Evan Roos will start for the first time in weeks when the Stormers take on Benetton in their final pool stage United Rugby Championship match in Stellenbosch on Friday night (kick off 630pm).

Also, scrumhalf Paul de Wet will play his 50th match for the Stormers, something he says he always dreamed about.

‘Always dreamed of this’

“I’m very excited, especially that it will come with us playing in Stellenbosch,” said De Wet, who made his debut in 2017.

“I have played a lot of my rugby there, it’s a lovely pitch. To get to 50 caps for this team is something I have always dreamed of.”

The Stormers will be going all out to bag a full house of five log points to give themselves their best chance of finishing second — for home advantage in the playoffs.

But, they will still be reliant on Edinburgh shocking Ulster (currently second) in Belfast, to secure second spot behind Leinster.

De Wet will again start ahead of Bok No 9 Herschel Jantjies, a rivalry that is bringing the best out of the two scrumhalves.

“It’s good, tough competition with Herschel,” said De Wet. “And I think it’s working well for the team, the fact we rotate so often … the coaches are no doubt getting what they want out of the players.”

Former Stormer Duvenhage

De Wet will come up against former Stormers man and veteran scrumhalf of Benetton, Dewald Duvenhage on Friday.

“He was like my senior when I started out here, and he helped me a lot,” said the former Paarl Boys High and Stellenbosch University student.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge, I have a lot of respect for him … we also faced off last year.”

Also back is Angelo Davids and Ruhan Nel among the replacements.

With Roos at No 8, Hacjivah Dayimani moves to blindside flank.

There are two changes to the front row, with prop Neethling Fouche and hooker JJ Kotze coming into the starting line-up.

Stormers coach John Dobson said that it was important that everyone in the squad got enough game time under the belt ahead of the playoffs.

“We have made a few rotational changes to make sure that everyone will be ready to perform in the knock-out phase of the competition.

“We want to raise our game and put in a confidence-building performance to take some momentum forward.”

In other URC games this weekend, Ulster host Edinburgh, on Friday night, and on Saturday the Lions face Zebre, the Bulls welcome Leinster, Dragons host Scarlets, the Sharks entertain Munster, Ospreys face Cardiff and Glasgow Warriors welcome Connacht.

Stormers: Clayton Blommetjies, Angelo Davids, Dan du Plessis, Damian Willemse, Seabelo Senatla, Manie Libbok, Paul de Wet, Evan Roos, Hacjivah Dayimani, Willie Engelbrecht, Marvin Orie, Ruben van Heerden, Neethling Fouche, JJ Kotze, Steven Kitshoff (capt). Bench: Joseph Dweba, Ali Vermaak, Frans Malherbe, Ernst van Rhyn, Ben-Jason Dixon, Marcel Theunissen, Herschel Jantjies, Ruhan Nel