Seven DHL Stormers in SA ‘A’ team
There are seven DHL Stormers players in the South Africa ‘A’ starting XV named by coach Johan Ackermann to face the England Saxons in Bloemfontein on Friday.
Prop Vincent Koch, hooker Scarra Ntubeni, lock JD Schickerling, loose forwards Sikhumbuzo Notshe and Nizaam Carr, scrumhalf Nic Groom and outside back Leolin Zas will all run out for the first of two matches against the visitors from England.
The match kicks off at 19h10 at the Toyota Stadium in the Free State capital and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
“I think we have a brilliant mix of experienced players who have tasted what Test rugby is all about, as well as the four members of the Springbok squad, and exciting youngsters who will be pushing for higher honours in the coming seasons,” said Ackermann.
“There is a lot of value in having players with Test and Vodacom Super Rugby experience working with these youngsters and I’m sure we’ll see some excitement on the field on Friday.
“But we’re up against a very formidable opponent and the Saxons have been together for a long time already, so our players know that they have to sharp, focused and on top of their game for the full 80 minutes on Friday.”
The second encounter between the SA ‘A’ side and the England Saxons is next Friday at Outeniqua Park in George.
SA ‘A’: 15 Leolin Zas (DHL Stormers), 14 Travis Ismaiel (Vodacom Bulls), 13 Francois Venter (Toyota Cheetahs), 12 Howard Mnisi (Emirates Lions), 11 Courtnall Skosan (Emirates Lions), 10 Garth April (Cell C Sharks), 9 Nic Groom (DHL Stormers), 8 Nizaam Carr (DHL Stormers), 7 Oupa Mohoje (captain, Toyota Cheetahs), 6 Sikhumbuzo Notshe (DHL Stormers), 5 Stephan Lewies (Cell C Sharks), 4 JD Schickerling (DHL Stormers), 3 Vincent Koch (DHL Stormers), 2 Scarra Ntubeni (DHL Stormers), 1 Thomas du Toit (Cell C Sharks).
Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx (Emirates Lions), 17 Lizo Gqoboka (Vodacom Bulls), 18 Coenie Oosthuizen (Cell C Sharks), 19 RG Snyman (Vodacom Bulls), 20 Jean-Luc du Preez (Cell C Sharks), 21 Piet van Zyl (Vodacom Bulls), 22 Francois Brummer (Vodacom Bulls), 23 Lukhanyo Am (Southern Kings).
