This is what dreams are made of. The Stormers will face New Zealand for the first time in the club’s history on Friday night, and Director of Rugby John Dobson has named a side determined to make the occasion unforgettable at DHL Stadium.
Ruhan Nel will captain a team mixing youth, experience, and genuine star power as the Cape side prepares to lock horns with the world’s second-ranked international team. This isn’t just another fixture, this is history in the making, and the 19,000-strong crowd expected at the stadium will witness something that’s never happened before.
Nel leads from outside centre, partnering Jonathan Roche in midfield, whilst 20-year-old flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed will make his Stormers debut linking with scrumhalf Imad Khan.
Also read: Ahmed at 10 as Stormers name team to face All Blacks
That’s serious faith placed in young shoulders, but Ahmed has earned the opportunity through impressive performances, and Friday represents his chance to announce himself on the biggest possible stage.
The back three features class and pace in abundance. Warrick Gelant marshals proceedings from fullback, with speedsters Seabelo Senatla and Leolin Zas patrolling the wings. If space opens up, this trio possesses the gas to punish any defensive lapses the All Blacks might offer.
The 2022 URC champions reunion
Perhaps the most intriguing selection sits in the loose trio, where Dobson has reunited the exact combination that started the 2022 URC Grand Final, Evan Roos at No 8, Hacjivah Dayimani and Deon Fourie as flankers.
That’s the back row that delivered the Stormers their inaugural United Rugby Championship title at this very stadium. They know what it takes to win massive matches in front of packed Cape Town crowds. They’ve delivered under the brightest lights before, and Dobson is backing them to do it again against the All Blacks.
Up front, hooker André-Hugo Venter packs down between props Vernon Matongo and Neethling Fouché, whilst Adré Smith and Connor Evans combine in the second row. It’s a forward pack built for the brutal collisions and breakdown warfare that define Test-level rugby, because make no mistake, despite the Stormers being a club side, this will feel like a Test match.
Bench strength and fresh blood
The replacements bench offers genuine impact, with Ruan Ackermann set to be unleashed in the second half to complement the starting locks. Experienced scrumhalf Dewaldt Duvenage and versatile Wandisile Simelane provide backline cover, whilst props JJ Kotzé, Ntuthuko Mchunu and Sazi Sandi ensure the scrum remains competitive deep into the match.
Particularly noteworthy are the selections of Keke Morabe and Wandile Mlaba, both rewarded for impressive Carling Currie Cup form with places on the bench.
Dobson: “History in the making”
The Stormers boss didn’t hide his excitement when discussing what Friday represents.
“This is history in the making as the Stormers take on New Zealand for the first time, and our team is determined to make it one to remember for our fans,” Dobson declared.
“For a club side to take on an international team ranked second in the world is a massive opportunity and one that every player and management member is looking forward to.”
That’s the reality check, the Stormers are a franchise competing in the United Rugby Championship, whilst the All Blacks are rugby royalty, a team that has defined excellence for over a century. On paper, this should be a mismatch. But rugby isn’t played on paper.
The All Blacks respond
New Zealand coach Dave Rennie has named a strong side for the first match of the Greatest Rivalry tour. Beauden Barrett starts at flyhalf with Cortez Ratima at scrumhalf, whilst veteran lock Patrick Tuipulotu will captain the visitors.
The backline features genuine quality – Rieko Ioane on the wing, experienced Anton Lienert-Brown at centre, and leading try-scorer Leroy Carter starting on the opposite wing. The back row of Wallace Sititi at No 8, with Peter Lakai and Simon Parker as flankers, brings physicality and skill in equal measure.
This isn’t a weakened All Blacks side taking South Africa lightly. This is a quality XV determined to start their tour with a statement victory.
Friday night at DHL Stadium will crackle with energy. The crowd will roar from anthem to final whistle. Young Ahmed will experience what elite rugby feels like. Nel will lead his troops into battle carrying the hopes of Cape rugby on his shoulders.
And somewhere in that cauldron of noise and passion, history will be made. The Stormers face New Zealand for the first time ever, and win, lose, or draw, nobody present will ever forget being there when it happened.
Kick-off 19:00. DHL Stadium. History awaits.
