The wider DHL Stormers squad will start their pre-season camp with a friendly against the Hollywoodbets Sharks in George on Friday.
A 28-man DHL Stormers XV side will take on the Durban outfit in the pre-season match, with kick-off at Outeniqua Park at 18h00 on Friday.
The extended squad will then spend most of the following week in the Southern Cape, before focus shifts to their opening Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash with defending champions Leinster at DHL Stadium on Friday, September 26.
This friendly will see the likes of Springboks Ben-Jason Dixon and Andre-Hugo Venter get some valuable gametime, along with flyhalf Clinton Swart, who has joined the squad on a short-term loan.
Neethling Fouche, Ali Vermaak, Ntuthuko Mchunu and Sazi Sandi are unavailable due to injury, while Ruben van Heerden, Jonathan Roche and Evan Roos are being rested due to slight niggles and Dan du Plessis, Imad Khan and Warrick Gelant are training but were not considered for this match as a precaution.
Director of Rugby John Dobson said that the friendly match and the time in camp will form a key part of his squad’s preparation for the 25/26 season.
“We are looking forward to this friendly and the camp in the Southern Cape, where we always get such a warm welcome.
“We saw some players get some gametime in the Carling Currie Cup last week and this will be the next step forward against some quality opposition.
“We are expecting an electric atmosphere at Outeniqua Park and a tough outing against a team that will have similar objectives from this match.
“While it is frustrating that some players miss out due to injury, the medical staff are working hard to make sure they are ready to play and feature for us as soon as possible this season,” he said.
DHL Stormers XV: 15 Luke Burger, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Ruhan Nel (captain), 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Marcel Theunissen, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Vernon Matongo.
Replacements: 16 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 17 Oliver Reid, 18 Cabous Eloff, 19 JJ Kotze, 20 Alex Groves, 21 Connor Evans, 22 Louw Nel, 23 Stefan Ungerer, 24 Clinton Swart, 25 Damian Markus, 26 Jared Africa, 27 Justin Geduld, 28 Sako Makata.
