Both of these matches – the first competitive action since the local rugby season ground to a halt in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic – will be televised live on SuperSport.
Gelant previously played for the Vodacom Bulls and joined the Cape franchise during the lockdown. No fewer than eight Springboks will feature in the DHL Stormers’ match day squad on Saturday.
The clash between the Capetonians and the Pride of Jozi is the second match of a doubleheader which will see the Cell C Sharks take on the Vodacom Bulls beforehand on the same field.
Gelant starts in the No 15 jersey and will make his first appearance for the DHL Stormers, while the likes of Leon Lyons (prop), Hannes Gouws (utility forward), Tim Swiel (fyhalf), Michal Haznar (centre), Angelo Davids (wing) and Tristan Leyds (fullback) are set to earn their first DHL Stormers caps from the extended replacements bench.
DHL head coach John Dobson.
Gelant is joined by fellow Springboks Damian Willemse (flyhalf), Herschel Jantjies (scrumhalf), Siya Kolisi (looseforward), Frans Malherbe (prop), Scarra Ntubeni (hooker) and Steven Kitshoff (prop) in the starting line-up, while Bongi Mbonambi (hooker) is among the replacements.
Leolin Zas (wing) will make his first appearance for the DHL Stormers since early 2017, having returned to his home franchise last year following a stint in Durban with the Cell C Sharks.
DHL Stormers Head Coach John Dobson said that there is plenty of excitement among the squad to finally get back onto the field and pull the jersey on.
“It has been a while for everyone – players, coaches and our fans are all hungry for rugby, so we cannot wait to get there and take the next step as we build towards the new competition which kicks off next month,” said Dobson.
“Everyone has worked very hard to get to this point and while it will be great to see our high-profile players out on the pitch, we are also looking forward to seeing some new faces and seeing how they go against a quality Emirates Lions side.”
DHL Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Leolin Zas, 13 Dan du Plessis, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Ernst van Rhyn, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff. Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Chris van Zyl, 20 Nama Xaba, 21 Hannes Gouws, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Tim Swiel, 24 Michal Haznar, 25 Angelo Davids, 26 Tristan Leyds.
Match details:
Date: Saturday, 26 September 2020
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off time: 19h00
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron, Morne Ferreira
TMO: Willie Vos
TV: Live on SuperSport Grandstand
