DHL Stormers milestones in DHL Stadium knock-out

There will be a number of milestones reached for the DHL Stormers in the Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16 encounter with Harlequins at DHL Stadium on Saturday.

Centre Dan du Plessis, lock Ernst van Rhyn and prop Neethling Fouche are all set to earn their 50th DHL Stormers caps, while veteran prop Brok Harris will make it 250 combined caps for the DHL Stormers and DHL Western Province in the knock-out clash, which kicks off at 16h00 on Saturday.

Ruhan Nel makes his return to the team following the birth of his daughter and will partner Du Plessis in midfield, with Damian Willemse moving to fullback and Herschel Jantjies coming into the starting line-up at scrumhalf.

In the forward pack Van Rhyn starts in place of Ruben van Heerden, who is cup-tied having represented Exeter Chiefs earlier in the competition. As a result Gary Porter will provide lock cover from the replacements bench.

DHL Stormers Head Coach John Dobson said that having so many milestones should make it an even more special occasion.

“We have a home Heineken Champions Cup knock-out match at DHL Stadium, which is the stuff that dreams are made of.

“It will be fantastic to also recognise Dan, Ernst, Neethling and Brok, who have all contributed so much to the team over the years.

“We are all looking forward to what should be a proper spectacle in front of the Faithful at DHL Stadium,” he said.

DHL Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Ernst van Rhyn, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain).
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Gary Porter, 20 Willie Engelbrecht, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Clayton Blommetjies.