Stormers shuffle backline for Sale Sharks clash

There are a few changes to the DHL Stormers backline and just one in the forward pack for the Investec Champions Cup encounter with Sale Sharks at DHL Stadium on Saturday.

The Round Three match kicks off at 19h30 (SAST) on Saturday, with tickets available from Ticketpro (CLICK HERE to buy your tickets now).

Wing Courtnall Skosan and scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies are back in the starting line-up, while Suleiman Hartzenberg shifts to outside centre in place of the injured Ruhan Nel.

The only change among the forwards sees hooker Andre-Hugo Venter make a deserved start after a number of impressive performances as an impact player.

Hooker Joseph Dweba, lock Connor Evans, flank Nama Xaba and fullback Warrick Gelant all return via the replacements bench.

Head Coach John Dobson said that his team want to make the most of what is their last match at DHL Stadium until late March.

“We enjoyed some incredible support at DHL Stadium over the festive period and we won’t play again here for a while, so we would love to give our supporters another great night.

“It will be tough in what is a crucial match for both sides and we are expecting Sale to throw everything they have at us, which should make for a great spectacle,” he said.

DHL Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Courtnall Skosan, 13 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Deon Fourie (captain), 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Sti Sithole.
Replacements: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Brok Harris, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Nama Xaba, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Warrick Gelant.