Article re-cap
- Jean-Luc du Plessis captains the Stormers XXIII in their historic first Currie Cup match against Griquas at Cape Town Stadium on Friday.
- Six players will make their Currie Cup debuts, including Dylan Miller, Mfundo Ndhlovu and Wandile Mlaba.
- Veteran hooker Scarra Ntubeni, 35, with one Springbok cap, is set to feature off the bench in what is a notable comeback.
- Josh Boulle and Cornel Smit form the midfield partnership, with Gino Cupido completing the back three alongside Miller and Ndhlovu.
- The Stormers have lost their last eight matches against Griquas, adding extra pressure to the opening fixture.
Flyhalf Jean-Luc du Plessis will captain the Stormers XXIII in their historic first Currie Cup match against Griquas at Cape Town Stadium this Friday.
The match is scheduled for 7.05pm and marks a new era for the Stormers XXIII as they face the defending champions. The squad features six players making their first appearance in the competition, including Dylan Miller, Mfundo Ndhlovu, Wandile Mlaba, Tom Barnard, Xola Nyali and Dominic Malgas.
Veteran hooker Scarra Ntubeni, who earned one Springbok cap against Argentina at Loftus in 2019, is set to make an impact off the bench. The 35-year-old made what many thought was his last appearance for the Stormers against Connacht in April, making his inclusion a notable subplot to the evening.
The team includes several players playing their first Currie Cup match in Stormers colours, namely Vernon Paulo, Hencus van Wyk and Tiaan Fourie. Du Plessis will form a halfback pairing with Stefan Ungerer, while Josh Boulle and Cornel Smit combine in midfield, with Gino Cupido joining Miller and Ndhlovu in the back three. The bench will provide cover through Fourie and Malgas.
The forward pack features Gerbrandt Grobler in the second row alongside Barnard, with Divan Fuller and Keke Morabe acting as flanks for Mlaba. The front row will consist of Paulo, Oli Kebble and Herman Lubbe, with replacements Ntubeni, Khuzwayo and Van Wyk available for the second half.
Coach Tom Dawson-Squibb said: 'We are new as a team, which brings with it the chance of some adapting through the game but more importantly, it brings with it massive enthusiasm and competitiveness.'
We want this team to go above and beyond in every area and push ourselves as far as we can, which is what we mean by being unreasonable.
Dawson-Squibb added that the players and management are looking forward to the challenge of testing themselves against the defending champions at Cape Town Stadium.
The Stormers will also be looking to end Griquas' dominance in the fixture, with the defending champions having won the last eight meetings between the two sides.
Frequently asked questions
Who will captain the Stormers XXIII in their Currie Cup debut?
Flyhalf Jean-Luc du Plessis will captain the Stormers XXIII in their historic first Currie Cup match. He will form the halfback pairing with Stefan Ungerer in the match against Griquas at Cape Town Stadium on Friday.
When and where is the Stormers XXIII's first Currie Cup match?
The Stormers XXIII will play their first Currie Cup match against defending champions Griquas at Cape Town Stadium on Friday at 7.05pm. This marks a new era for the team as they take on the competition's defending champions.
How many debutants are in the Stormers XXIII squad?
The squad features six players making their first Currie Cup appearance: Dylan Miller, Mfundo Ndhlovu, Wandile Mlaba, Tom Barnard, Xola Nyali and Dominic Malgas. Additionally, Vernon Paulo, Hencus van Wyk and Tiaan Fourie are playing their first Currie Cup match for the Stormers.
What is Coach Tom Dawson-Squibb's approach for the team?
Coach Dawson-Squibb said the team is focused on a convincing home performance and wants to go above and beyond in every area. He noted that being a new team brings enthusiasm and the chance to adapt through the game, with players eager to test themselves against the defending champions.
Source: dailyvoice.co.za, sarugbymag.co.za
