URC final teams: Orie, Fourie back for Stormers, RG Snyman boosts Munster

The Stormers will be at full strength for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship final against Munster at the Cape Town Stadium following the return to fitness of forwards Marvin Orie and Deon Fourie.

Both players missed the semi-final win against Connacht at the same venue two weeks ago due to injury, but will take their places in the Stormers starting team.

Kick-off on Saturday is 6.30pm.

The good news for coach John Dobson is that he has been able to pick the same backline that did duty in the semi-final, but an injury to Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu means exciting Clayton Blommetjies comes into the side as a backs replacement.

With Orie and Fourie back in the starting team, Ben-Jason Dixon and Willie Engelbrecht move on to the bench.

‘Ability and leadership’

Dobson said that it is a major boost to have the likes of Fourie and Orie back for the final, as the Stormers look to go back-to-back after beating the Bulls in the inaugural final last season.

“Both Deon and Marvin have been outstanding for us this season and they will add a lot in terms of their ability and leadership on Saturday,” said Dobson.

“We have a lot of respect for Munster, the truth is that we have never beaten them, so while we are thrilled to be playing at home we know it will be a big challenge against a good team.

“This will be the biggest crowd for any Stormers match and it should be an amazing occasion for the team, our passionate supporters and the city of Cape Town.

“We are so grateful for the support that we enjoy and what this team means to so many people. We will do our best to soak up the atmosphere, enjoy every moment and play the kind of rugby that got us here,” he said.

Meanwhile, Munster have been boosted by the return of Bok World Cup winning lock RG Snyman, who’ll play from off the bench on Saturday. Lock Jean Kleyn is the other South Africa-born player in the Irish team.

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

Munster: Mike Haley, Calvin Nash, Antoine Frisch, Malakai Fekitoa, Shane Daly, Jack Crowley, Conor Murray, Gavin Coombes, John Hodnett, Peter O’Mahony (capt), Tadhg Beirne, Jean Kleyn, Stephen Archer, Diarmuid Barron, Jeremy Loughman. Bench: Niall Scannell, Josh Wycherley, Roman Salanoa, RG Snyman, Alex Kendellen, Craig Casey, Ben Healy, Keith Earls