CAPE TOWN – The Stormers will hand debuts to four players when they open their United Rugby Championship campaign against Connacht in Galway on Friday night.

Lock Riley Norton, scrumhalves Andre Warner and Ezekiel Ngobeni, and hooker Vernon Paulo are all set to make their first appearances for the franchise, while winger Leolin Zas will reach a significant milestone in his 100th match.

Zas reaches century mark

Zas, who made his Stormers debut in 2016, finished that season as the team’s top try-scorer at the age of 19. He also topped the URC try-scoring charts when the Stormers claimed the inaugural title in the 2021/22 season.

The centurion will feature in an experienced back three alongside fellow URC winners Seabelo Senatla and Warrick Gelant. Captain Ruhan Nel will partner Jonathan Roche in midfield.

Warner will start at scrumhalf alongside Jurie Matthee at flyhalf, with Ngobeni and Yaqeen Ahmed providing backline cover on the bench.

Forward pack mix

Hacjivah Dayimani has been named at eighthman, with Louw Nel and Evan Roos on the flanks. Marcel Theunissen will provide loose forward impact from the replacements.

Norton will start alongside a fit-again JD Schickerling in the second row, with Connor Evans and Adré Smith poised to make an impact in the second half.

In the front row, hooker André-Hugo Venter will pack down between props Neethling Fouché and Vernon Matongo. Paulo is set to feature from the bench alongside props Olly Reid and Sazi Sandi.

Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel (captain), 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Andre Warner, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Louw Nel, 6 Evan Roos, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Riley Norton, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Vernon Matongo

Replacements: 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Olly Reid, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Adré Smith, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Ezekiel Ngobeni, 23 Yaqeen Ahmed

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