Reinach back for Stormers’ Champions Cup match against Toulon
· Citizen
Veteran Springbok scrumhalf Cobus Reinach is back in the mix for the Stormers’ Champions Cup match against Toulon in France on Saturday after sitting out with an injury for the past few weeks.
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The last-16 clash kicks off at the Stade Felix Mayol at 4pm SA time.
The return of the 36-year-old Reinach is one of several changes to the Stormers team that featured in the United Rugby Championship last weekend.
He’ll partner flyhalf Jurie Matthee in an all-new halfback pairing, with Imad Khan and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu on a replacements’ bench which also features Wandisile Simelane.
Up front props Neethling Fouché and Oli Kebble come into the starting line-up after impressive showings in the second half against Edinburgh last weekend, while the versatile Deon Fourie reprises the role he played in the last Rugby World Cup final by providing cover for starting hooker André-Hugo Venter.
Connor Evans starts alongside Adré Smith in the second row, while in the loose trio Hacjivah Dayimani makes his first start since returning to the Stormers a few weeks ago with Ben-Jason Dixon ruled out due to concussion picked up against Edinburgh.
‘Intensity for 80 minutes’
Fourie is joined by Ntuthuko Mchunu, Zachary Porthen, JD Schickerling and Marcel Theunissen on a strong bench.
Director of Rugby John Dobson said his team are ready to give it a full go in the south of France.
“We have come up against Toulon in this competition before, so we know that we can expect intensity for 80 minutes on the pitch. What will be a new experience for us is to play at the Stade Felix Mayol, which is renowned for its unique atmosphere.
“We have picked a team that we feel can sustain a significant challenge from start to finish, and we are all looking forward to what should be a great occasion for rugby,” he said.
Stormers: Warrick Gelant, Damian Willemse, Ruhan Nel (capt), Dan du Plessis, Leolin Zas, Jurie Matthee, Cobus Reinach, Evan Roos, Hacjivah Dayimani, Paul de Villiers, Connor Evans, Adré Smith, Neethling Fouché, André-Hugo Venter, Oli Kebble. Bench: Deon Fourie, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Zachary Porthen, JD Schickerling, Marcel Theunissen, Imad Khan, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Wandisile Simelane