URC Semi-Finals: Springbok back returns for Stormers, Ulster unchanged
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The teams for this weekend's semi-final of the United Rugby Championship have been named with Ulster taking on the Stormers in Cape Town.
- Seabelo Senatla will play his 50th game for the Stormers
- Iain Henderson will captain an unchanged Ulster side from last week's Quarter-Final
STORMERS TEAM NEWS
Seabelo Senatla will play his 50th game for the Stormers in their United Rugby Championship semifinal against Ulster.
There is just one change to the team that defeated Edinburgh in the quarterfinal last week, with Damian Willemse making his return from injury to take his place at inside centre for the knock-out clash.
Senatla made his Stormers debut in 2014 and has also had a glittering Sevens career, scoring a record 230 tries for the BlitzBoks.
The speedster missed the first four games of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship season due to injury, but is still third on the try-scorers list with nine tries thus far.
He is also one of five Stormers players in the starting line-up for Saturday that were named in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship 2021/22 Dream Team, along with Willemse, Evan Roos, Leolin Zas and Warrick Gelant.
ULSTER TEAM NEWS
The Ulster men go into this clash unchanged from the side that defeated Munster in the Quarter-Finals last week. The front row sees Andrew Warwick and Tom O’Toole packing down either side of Rob Herring.
Iain Henderson will skipper the side at second row and will pair with Alan O’Connor. Nick Timoney, who was named in the 2021-22 URC Dream Team earlier this week, will line out at openside flanker with Marcus Rea named at blindside and Duane Vermeulen completes the pack at Number Eight.
John Cooney, who made his 100th appearance for Ulster last weekend, is selected at scrum-half to partner Billy Burns at out-half. James Hume, who was also selected in URC’s Dream Team is named to partner Stuart McCloskey in midfield. Stewart Moore, Ethan McIlroy and Rob Baloucoune complete the starting back three.
Providing forward reinforcements from the bench are John Andrew, Eric O’Sullivan, Gareth Milasinovich, Kieran Treadwell and Matty Rea. Nathan Doak, Ian Madigan and Ben Moxham will offer back line cover.
WHAT THE COACHES SAID:
"Seabelo is an incredibly gifted athlete who would have reached this milestone long ago if he wasn't also one of the greatest Sevens players of all time. He deserves all the plaudits that come his way, he is a true professional and a big part of our success this season. Damian is another phenomenal player and credit must go to him and the medical staff for getting him ready for this game. He is a world-class performer who would make a difference to any team. We are so glad that we get to play our semi-final in front of our Faithful supporters, it will be a special day and we want to enjoy all of it. The team is raring to go out there and play the game we love the way we love to play it." - Stormers Head Coach John Dobson said
THE LINEUPS
Stormers: Warrick Gelant, Seabelo Senatla, Ruhan Nel, Damian Willemse, Leolin Zas, Manie Libbok, Herschel Jantjies, Steven Kitshoff (CAPT), JJ Kotze, Frans Malherbe, Salmaan Moerat, Marvin Orie, Deon Fourie, Hacjivah Dayimani, Evan Roos
Replacements: Andre-Hugo Venter, Brok Harris, Neethling Fouche, Adre Smith, Ernst van Rhyn, Nama Xaba, Godlen Masimla, Sacha Mngomezulu
Ulster: Stewart Moore, Rob Baloucoune, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Ethan McIlroy, Billy Burns, John Cooney, Andrew Warwick, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor, Iain Henderson (CAPT), Marcus Rea, Nick Timoney, Duane Vermeulen
Replacements: John Andrew, Eric O’Sullivan, Gareth Milasinovich, Kieran Treadwell, Matty Rea, Nathan Doak, Ian Madigan, Ben Moxham
DHL Stadium, Cape Town – KO 14.00 IRE & UK / 15.00 ITA & SA
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU, 62nd league game)
AR 1: Sam Grove-White (SRU) AR 2: Adam Jones (WRU)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
Live on: SuperSport, Premier Sports, RTÉ & URC TV
