Dylan Maart set for Stormers debut in unbeaten battle against Munster at Thomond Park

Griquas speedster Dylan Maart will make his Stormers debut, while tighthead prop Neethling Fouché returns from injury, as the unbeaten Cape side gears up for a top-of-the-table United Rugby Championship (URC) showdown with Munster in Limerick on Saturday.

The clash at Thomond Park (7.30pm kick-off) pits the only two undefeated teams in this year’s competition against each other as they battle to be the sole log-leader early in the season.

Maart, who joined the squad on loan, starts in a back three featuring the experience of Warrick Gelant and Leolin Zas. In midfield, outside centre Wandisile Simelane partners Ruhan Nel, with Jurie Matthee and Stefan Ungerer forming the halfback pairing. Dewaldt Duvenage and Clinton Swart offer cover from the bench in a six-two split.

Captain Salmaan Moerat leads the Stormers from the second row alongside Connor Evans, while Adré Smith and JD Schickerling are set to add second-half impact.

Up front, Fouché’s return bolsters a fresh-looking front row that includes André-Hugo Venter and Vernon Matongo. Former Stormer Oli Kebble is named among the replacements for what would be his first appearance for the side since 2017, joining JJ Kotzé and Sazi Sandi as front-row cover.

The Cape side selected a physical but mobile loose trio with eighthman Evan Roos combining with flankers Marcel Theunissen and Paul de Villiers, with Ruan Ackermann primed to inject physicality when he enters the contest.

Director of rugby John Dobson says the squad is refreshed and prepared for one of the toughest away fixtures in the URC.

“It will take a big effort to win our first match at Thomond Park,” Dobson said.

“We need to be on our game for the full 80 minutes against a good Munster side, and hopefully we will be able to rise to the challenge to continue our winning start to the season.”

Stormers XV 

15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Ruhan Nel, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Marcel Theunissen, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Connor Evans, 4 Salmaan Moerat (captain), 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Vernon Matongo.

Replacements: 16 JJ Kotzé, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Adré Smith, 20 JD Schickerling, 21 Ruan Ackermann, 22 Dewaldt Duvenage, 23 Clinton Swart.