Manie Libbok’s return sparks excitement for Stormers as Hartzenberg celebrates 50th cap

Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok is back in the starting lineup for the Stormers for Friday’s United Rugby Championship (URC) clash against Cardiff in Cape Town (7pm start).

Libbok makes a welcome return from a knee injury and will combine with fellow Bok Herschel Jantjies as the pivots for the Cape side. Damian Willemse shifts from inside centre to fullback, with winger Suleiman Hartzenberg promoted to the starting team for his 50th cap.

Tighthead Neethling Fouché is back from tackle school and was also parachuted into the run-on side, while Leolin Zas (wing) and Dan du Plessis (inside centre) received the nod for some valuable game time. There is no sign of backs Warrick Gelant and Seabelo Senatla and forwards Evan Roos and Ruben van Heerden. The four will take a well-deserved breather ahead of the URC knockouts.

Utility star Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will provide cover off the bench with veteran hooker Scarra Ntubeni and the departing Paul de Wet (scrumhalf) and Ben Loader (wing) amongst others.

“We have made some changes to ensure that we have enough players with recent gametime heading into the play-offs and we are looking forward to seeing what those coming into the mix this week can do,” director of rugby John Dobson said.

“The last three matches at home have seen us gain some confidence and secure our play-off spot with a game to go, but we know we are in for a big test against a Cardiff side that has it all to play for. We are also very aware that we are unlikely to play at home again this season, so we want to put together a good performance for the fans that have shown us such incredible support.”

Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Marcel Theunissen, 7 Louw Nel, 6 Dave Ewers, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Salmaan Moerat (captain), 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Sti Sithole. Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Paul de Villiers, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23 Ben Loader.