Stormers unleash Boks for Sharks clash

October 7, 2026

Stormers Director of Rugby, John Dobson, has named a Springbok-laden matchday-23 with eight national team players in the starting XV and a further three on the bench for his team’s URC derby against the Sharks in Cape Town on Saturday.

The squad also includes rising lock star, Riley Norton, as well as new recruit from the Lions, scrumhalf Haashim Pead, who’s set to make his debut.

There are three changes to the backline from last week, with Damian Willemse at fullback and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu pairing up with Cobus Reinach at halfback. Pead and Wandisile Simelane are the two backs among the replacements.

In the front row, Wilco Louw, is set to earn his first Stormers cap since 2020 after rejoining the team from the Bulls, while Deon Fourie, provides hooker cover and will sit alongside props, Neethling Fouché and Vernon Matongo, on the bench.

Dobson says the first home match of the season promises to be a classic.

“It is fantastic to be able to name a team like this which is full of exceptional talents, from Deon Fourie with 141 Stormers caps through to Haashim Pead who makes his first appearance for us.

“It has been really encouraging to see the way the players returning from national duty have stepped up this week and added immensely to our preparations. It was a tough team to select with many quality players missing out,” he concluded.

Here we go! Make sure you are there at DHL Stadium on Saturday to see this team in action.

📢 Full announcement https://t.co/Oedn6B5fUu
🎟️ https://t.co/iHPYfSLWqe

#STOvSHA #inittogether @Vodacom #URC https://t.co/v7RU6oPxj2

— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) October 7, 2026