Stormers get new captain for URC tour in Ireland

Lock Marvin Orie has been named captain of a 27-man Stormers squad for their URC encounter with Ulster in Belfast on Friday.

The squad left Cape Town on Sunday, following a 30-16 win against ASM Clermont Auvergne at DHL Stadium, which secured their place in the Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16.

The focus now shifts back to the United Rugby Championship, in another short week which ends with the clash against Ulster at the Kingspan Stadium in Belfast on Friday night.

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Orie leads the Stormers squad with a blend of youth and experience, in the absence of regular captain Steven Kitshoff who is being rested along with fellow Springbok Damian Willemse.

New signing Ruben van Heerden joins the Stormers squad, as well as the experienced duo of hooker Scarra Ntubeni and centre Juan de Jongh, who make their return from injury absences.

Stormers head coach John Dobson said that there are a number of players in the URC squad who will be looking to make a big impression.

“We have some players missing due to resting protocols and injuries, but this is a squad full of talent and we are looking forward to seeing what they can do.

“We will not have a lot of training time this week, but everyone is looking forward to the challenge,” he said.

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STORMERS URC SQUAD FOR IRISH TOUR:

Forwards — Kwenzo Blose, Ben-Jason Dixon, Willie Engelbrecht, Connor Evans, Brok Harris, JJ Kotze, Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, Scarra Ntubeni, Marvin Orie (captain), Junior Pokomela, Evan Roos, Sazi Sandi, Marcel Theunissen, Ruben van Heerden, Andre-Hugo Venter, Ali Vermaak.

Backs — Clayton Blommetjies, Juan de Jongh, Jean-Luc du Plessis, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Suleiman Hartzenberg, Herschel Jantjies, Imad Khan, Ruhan Nel, Cornel Smit, Stefan Ungerer, Kade Wolhuter.

Unavailable — Angelo Davids, Steven Kitshoff, Alapati Leuia, Frans Malherbe, Salmaan Moerat, Gary Porter, Seabelo Senatla, Adre Smith, Ernst van Rhyn, Damian Willemse, Nama Xaba, Leolin Zas.

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