Steven Kitshoff in action against Leinster. Photo: Hansie Linde.
The Stormers have a number of Springboks – including Steven Kitshoff, Damian Willemse and Frans Malherbe – at their disposal to try to tame Leinster in Dublin.
In addition to these three Goats, the Capetians can also rely on the services of stars such as Manie Libbok, Deon Fourie, Seabelo Senatla and Hacjivah Dayimani to pull the trigger.
It’s definitely not going to be easy.
Leinster have not yet lost a single game in this year’s tournament, but the Bulls showed last season that it is indeed possible to trip up the Irish giants on their home ground.
“It’s great to have the Springbok players part of the setup again and we look forward to what they can do in a very difficult away game,” said John Dobson (coach).
Damian Williams. Photo: Twitter.
In turn, a fiery Willemse said that he is ready for action after attending a Springbok training camp of several weeks.
“It was nice to enjoy a bit of a break and the men are hungry to make a difference on the field again,” said the quick-footed Stormer full-back.
“The Stormers play good rugby and the team is strong on their home ground and away from home. I am very proud of every dear player who keeps our PRC dream alive.”
Meanwhile, the Six Nations series has taken its toll and Johnny Sexton will miss the Stormers clash with a groin injury.
Leinster and Ireland se Johnny Sexton. Photo: Twitter.
“It was sad to see him leave the field against England. Johnny is an incredible leader and it is only fitting that he could hold up the Six Nations silverware on his home ground,” said Andrew Goodman (assistant coach).
Then Caelan Doris, Hugo Keenan and Garry Ringrose will also be watching the action from the sidelines as they have to follow the correct protocol after suffering concussions during the tournament.
Jason Jenkins, the former Bulls lock, is in Leinster’s forward team and he will line up alongside Ross Molony.
The match starts at 21:35 on Friday and the action will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
Stormers: Clayton Blommetjies (full-back), Suleiman Hartzenberg (right wing), Dan du Plessis (outside centre), Damian Willemse (inside centre), Seabelo Senatla (left wing), Manie Libbok (fly-half), Paul de Wet (scrum-half), Hacjivah Dayimani (eighth man), Ben-Jason Dixon (flank), Deon Fourie (flank), Marvin Orie (lock), Ruben van Heerden (lock), Frans Malherbe (prop), Joseph Dweba (hooker) and Steven Kitshoff (captain and prop). Substitutes: JJ Kotze, Brok Harris, Neethling Fouché, Ernst van Rhyn, Willie Engelbrecht, Marcel Theunissen, Herschel Jantjies and Jean-Luc du Plessis.
Leinster: Jordan Lamour (full back), Rob Russell (right wing), Liam Turner (outside centre), Ciaran Frawley (inside centre), Dave Kearney (left wing), Harry Byrne (fly-half), Luke McGrath (scrum-half), Max Deegan (eighth man), Scott Penny (flank), Rhys Ruddock (captain and flank), Jason Jenkins (lock), Ross Molony (lock), Michael Ala’alatoa (prop), John McKee (hooker) and Michael Milne (prop).
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This is the matchday 23 that will take on @THESTORMERS tomorrow night in the #BKTURC#LEIvSTO #FromTheGroundUp pic.twitter.com/tO1wXPXXf0
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) March 23, 2023
