John Dobson Stormers

Stormers head coach John Dobson and members of his coaching staff during the 2020 Super Rugby game between the Stormers and the Hurricanes at Newlands Rugby Stadium in Cape Town on 1 February 2020 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

Stormers name strong side to tackle British & Irish Lions

Lock Ernst van Rhyn will captain the Stormers in their encounter with the British & Irish Lions at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

John Dobson Stormers

Stormers head coach John Dobson and members of his coaching staff during the 2020 Super Rugby game between the Stormers and the Hurricanes at Newlands Rugby Stadium in Cape Town on 1 February 2020 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

Lock Ernst van Rhyn will captain the Stormers in their encounter with the British & Irish Lions at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

READ | RASSIE ERASMUS’ CHEEKY REQUEST KICKED INTO TOUCH BY BRITISH & IRISH LIONS

The Stormers face the tourists in their last match before the Tests against the Springboks, with kick-off at 18:00 on Saturday.

Former SA Schools and Junior Springbok captain and current Western Province skipper Van Rhyn will lead the Stormers out for the first time.

Van Rhyn will be partnered in the second row by JD Schickerling, backing up a front row which features Neethling Fouche, JJ Kotze and Leon Lyons.

READ | WALLABY VETERAN QUADE COOPER DENITES AUSTRALIAN CITIZENSHIP

The loose trio will see Nama Xaba and Johan du Toit pack down on the flanks, with Evan Roos at No 8.

Godlen Masimla and Tim Swiel form a relatively experienced halfback pairing, with Dan du Plessis and Rikus Pretorius in midfield.

There is plenty of pace to burn among the outside backs, with Seabelo Senatla, Edwill van der Merwe and Sergeal Petersen making up a speedy back three.

There is some promising talent on the replacements bench, along with the proven experience of Springbok centre Juan de Jongh, who will earn his 98th Stormers cap when he takes the field.

READ | RASSIE ERASMUS: WE RAN OUT OF STEAM, NOT HEART

Stormers head coach John Dobson said that his team is well-aware of the honour of having the opportunity to face the British and Irish Lions.

“Any match against the British and Irish Lions is a historic occasion and we will be doing everything we can to do justice to the magnitude of this game.

“The team has been highly disciplined in our bubble this week and now it is about doing everything we can on the field for 80 minutes,” he said.

TEAMS:

Stormers

15 Sergeal Petersen, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Rikus Pretorius, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Johan du Toit, 6 Nama Xaba, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Ernst van Rhyn (captain), 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 JJ Kotze, 1 Leon Lyons

Substitutes (from): 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Kwenzo Blose, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Justin Basson, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Thomas Bursey, 22 Abner van Reenen, 23 Juan de Jongh, 24 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 25 Niel Otto, 26 Leolin Zas, 27 Cornel Smit

British & Irish Lions

TBA