Stormers No 8 Evan Roos will start against Benetton

Stormers No 8 Evan Roos will start against Benetton. Photo: Twitter.

Stormers turn to Evan Roos in search of return to winning ways

Evan Roos has been fast-tracked into the Stormers’ starting lineup to face Benetton on Friday.

Stormers No 8 Evan Roos will start against Benetton

Stormers No 8 Evan Roos will start against Benetton. Photo: Twitter.

The inclusion of Evan Roos is one several changes to the Stormers team for the final match of the regular season at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch on Friday.

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Having featured off the replacements bench last week, Roos starts at No 8, with Hacjivah Dayimani moving to blindside flank for the Stormers.

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

Clayton Blommetjies is at fullback and is joined in the back three by Angelo Davids, with Damian Willemse moving to inside centre to partner Dan du Plessis in the Stormers midfield and Ruhan Nel among the replacements in a rotational switch.

Scrumhalf Paul de Wet will play his 50th match for the Stormers in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship encounter with Benetton at the Danie Craven Stadium.

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STORMERS BOSS EXPLAINS CHANGES

Stormers head coach John Dobson said that it was important to ensure that everyone in the squad has enough gametime 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,” he said.

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TEAM TO FRONT BENETTON IN STELLENBOSCH

Stormers — 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Dan du Plessis, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Willie Engelbrecht, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 JJ Kotze, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain).
Subs: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Ernst van Rhyn, 20 Ben-Jason Dixon, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Herschel Jantjies, 23 Ruhan Nel.

Stormers scrumhalf Paul de Wet hits 50 caps.
Stormers scrumhalf Paul de Wet hits 50 caps. Photo: Supplied.