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Bongi Mbonambi during a Stormers training session in Newlands on January 30, 2020 (Photo by Ashley Vlotman / Gallo Images)
Stormers Coach John Dobson has named seven Springboks in his starting lineup for his Super Rugby Unlocked opener against him Lions in Newlands on Saturday.
There are only two changes to the starting lineup that beat the Lions 34-21 on Saturday from Super Fan at Loftus Versfeld earlier in the month.
Form wing Sergeal Petersen replaces the injured Seabelo Senatla, while Bongi Mbonambi starts off as a hooker with Scarra Ntubeni between replacements.
“This is our first competitive game since March, so to say that we are looking forward to it would be an understatement. The players and coaches have worked hard in preparation and we are eager to get started,” Dobson said.
“We have been able to select a very strong team with some quality players lost, so the challenge will be to consolidate ourselves as a unit and start our campaign on the front foot.”
Mbonambi, Warrick Gelant, Damian Willemse, Herschel Jantjies, Siya Kolisi, Frans Malherbe and Steven Kitshoff are the starting team’s seven pits.
Saturday’s clash is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
Teams:
Stormers
15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Dan du Plessis, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Ernst van Rhyn, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Chris van Zyl, 20 Nama Xaba, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Michal Haznar, 23 Tim Swiel
Lions
TBA
