Rugby
Roos ruled out of URC playoff against Glasgow─── MORGAN PIEK 13:22 Fri, 07 Jun 2024
“We will have to do it without a number of our frontline players due to injuries, but it is a testament to the depth we have built and the quality of our squad that there is plenty of belief.”
The Stormers have been dealt a big blow ahead of their United Rugby Championship quarter-final against the Glasgow Warriors on Saturday in Scotland.
The Springboks loose-forward, Evan Roos, who was outstanding last week against the Lions has been ruled out for the knockout game.
Roos sustained a concussion during training and has been replaced by Willie Engelbrecht.
‘Springbok, Warrick Gelant has been selected at fullback’
Some good news in the backline: Springbok, Warrick Gelant is fully fit and has been selected at fullback.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu moved from the last line of defense to the inside centre. A further change in the backline sees the English player, Ben Loader, being named on the wing in Angelo Davids's place, who has been suspended for three games.
The lock, Connor Evans, who returned following a loan stint at the Griquas, and played in the SA Cup final, will play off the bench.
‘It is a testament to the quality of our squad’
The Stormers coach, John Dobson, said while they have injuries, it will be a great test regarding the depth they have tried to build.
“We will have to do it without a number of our frontline players due to injuries, but it is a testament to the depth we have built and the quality of our squad that there is plenty of belief,” said Dobson.
“Despite having almost a full team ruled out, we have built up some good momentum heading into the play-offs.
‘We want to show that we can rise to the occasion’
“This is our first URC play-off match away from home after playing six at Cape Town Stadium and we want to show that we can rise to the occasion.”
Saturday night’s game between the Warriors and Stormers at the Scotstoun Stadium starts at 21:00.
Stormers - 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Dan du Plessis, 12 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 11 Ben Loader, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Willie Engelbrecht, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Salmaan Moerat (captain), 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Brok Harris
Replacements - 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Adre Smith, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Connor Evans, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Jean-Luc du Plessis
