Hooker Scarra Ntubeni will reach 100 caps for the Stormers in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship (URC) coastal clash with the Sharks at the Cape Town Stadium.
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The final URC clash of the year featuring South African teams kicks off at 19:00.
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Ntubeni starts at hooker in the only change to the starting forward pack, while the only change to the backline sees Dan du Plessis make his return from injury at inside centre, allowing Springbok star Damian Willemse to return to fullback after deputising for De Plessis in the midfield against the Bulls last weekend.
There are a few changes on the replacements bench with forwards Hendre Stassen and Marcel Theunissen included this week, while scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies makes his return from injury and utility back Jurie Matthee is set for his first URC appearance.
Scrumhalf Paul de Wet retains his starting spot alongside halfback partner Manie Libbok.
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Stormers head coach John Dobson paid tribute to Ntubeni, who made his debut back in 2011 and has never played for another team.
“It’s an incredible achievement when you consider the injury setbacks Scarra has had in his career. He is a top player and a special person who has been a favourite of the Faithful for many years. We are incredibly proud of him and hopefully we can all make it memorable for him.
“The support we got last week was phenomenal and really lifted the team, so everyone is looking forward to another special occasion at DHL Stadium on Saturday,” he said.
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Meanwhile, Sharks coach John Plumtree has largely stuck to the same team he has named over the last number of fixtures.
There are three changes to the starting line-up, with Emile van Heerden back to replace Le Roux Roets, while Jeandre “Lappies” Labuschagne comes in at flank, meaning a shift to eighthman for Phepsi Buthelezi in place of Sikhumbuzo Notshe.
Plumtree has made just one change to the backline, Jaden Hendrikse getting a start with Grant Williams playing off the bench in a straight jersey swap.
Fans will also get to see 27-year-old Joel Hintz for the first time in a Sharks jersey.
The New Zealand prop was brought over to Durban as front-row cover from Hawke’s Bay, while he has also turned out for the New England Free Jacks in Major League Rugby in the USA.
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Heading into the match, the Stormers are eighth in the 16-team standings with 22 points after eight matches.
The Sharks are down in 15th place with just seven points after seven matches.
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TEAMS
Stormers
15 Damian Willemse, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Deon Fourie (captain), 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Sti Sithole
Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Brok Harris, 19 Hendre Stassen, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Willie Engelbrecht, 22 Herschel Jantjies, 23 Jurie Matthee
Sharks
15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Francois Venter, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 James Venter, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Daniel Jooste, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Joel Hintz, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 George Cronje, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Boeta Chamberlain, 23 Ethan Hooker
