The Stormers team has presented its main squad in advance of the Champions Cup match against Bristol Bears, which will take place at the DHL stadium on Saturday. This decision was made to increase interest in the game and give fans the opportunity to plan their weekends to see their favorite players in action.
Rugby Director John Dobson announced the squad the day before, instead of the usual Thursday. He noted that this step is aimed at stimulating interest in the upcoming match, as the Champions Cup lags behind the URC (United Rugby Championship) in South Africa, and the Bristol Bears have not played here before.
Dobson stated that announcing the squad will help attract more attention to the game. He added that it also demonstrates the team's openness and confidence. Previously, after announcing the squad on Wednesday, they were able to gather a good crowd.
News also brought encouraging information regarding injuries: number 8 Evan Russ is ready to debut in the season after recovering from a hamstring injury. His return comes in time, as Hajiva Diyamini is out with a concussion. Furthermore, following the victory over Hollywoodbets Sharks last week, a completely new starting line-up was formed in the defense.
Vernon Matongo, J.J. Kotze, and Sazi Sandi will feature in the defensive line, while Andre-Hugo Winter, Ntutuko Mchunu, and Zachary Porten will provide additional options from the bench. The backline maintains stability, and Warwick Gelant has been included in the reserve list for the European fixture.
Dobson emphasized the critical importance of a strong start, especially considering that home results are likely to play a significant role in determining participants for the next stage of the tournament. He recalled how important points were in the group stage of the Investec Champions Cup last season.
The team has maintained significant continuity in player selection, aiming to build on the momentum gained last week. Despite the disappointment over Hajiva's absence due to concussion, they can utilize Evan, who is ready to play, as well as the new defensive lineup.
With the match approaching and anticipation growing, Dobson hopes that Stormers fans can once again create the atmosphere that makes the DHL stadium a difficult place for visiting teams. He noted that the team is still thrilled by the atmosphere created by the fans last week and looks forward to repeating it, facing a strong Bristol side that has shown it knows how to win in South Africa by winning the match at Loftus Versfeld last season.