A fascinating subplot and high-stakes implications await at DHL Stadium this Saturday, 26 April, when the DHL Stormers host Benetton Treviso in a United Rugby Championship encounter in Cape Town
The Stormers, fresh off a patchy 34-29 win over Connacht, sit 7th on the table and are desperate to lock down a home quarter-final. A slip-up could open the door for chasing teams, while victory would cement their playoff credentials.
Benetton are coming off a confidence boosting a 42-31 win over the Lions at Emirates Airline Park last week currently sitting pretty on 5th place two spots ahead of the Stormers with 41 points on the URC log. The hungry Italians will therefore be highly motivated to add a Stormers scalp to confirm their top-eight ambitions.
Jacob Umaga Benetton’s danger man
Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson made just one change to last week’s side, bringing Leolin Zas back on the wing in place of Suleiman Hartzenberg, who moves to the bench.
Dobson stressed the importance of continuity: “We know we have to be much sharper than last week. Benetton are physical, tactically smart and dangerous in transition, so settled combinations were key.”
Yet all eyes may turn to the man who has played—and captained—on both sides: Stormers scrumhalf and assistant coach Dewaldt Duvenage. The veteran began his career in Cape Town before making 115 appearances for Benetton. Even though, Duvenage won’t be on the field, Dobson would have been able to get invaluable insight from Duvenage, on how to plot his formers teammates downfall.
“It’s emotional, yes,” Duvenage admitted.
“I owe a lot to Treviso. But once the whistle goes, it’s all about the Stormers and getting this group over the line. I know how much this means to both teams.”
Benetton head coach Marco Bortolami paid tribute to Duvenage’s legacy but warned:
We’re not tourists in Cape Town. This group has matured, and we’re here to win.
Expect a clash of styles: the Stormers’ electric broken play versus Benetton’s disciplined structure and bruising pack. With the playoff race tighter than ever, there’s no room for error.
DHL Stormers Starting XV:
15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Dan du Plessis, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Marcel Theunissen, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Salmaan Moerat (c), 3 Sazi Sandi, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Ali Vermaak.
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Brok Harris, 19 JD Schickerling, 20 Connor Evans, 21 Louw Nel, 22 Herschel Jantjies, 23 Suleiman Hartzenberg.
Date: Saturday, April 26
Venue: Cape Town Stadium, Greenpoint
Kick-off: 18.15 (18.15 Italian time; 16.15 GMT)
Referee: Adam Jones (Wales)
Assistant referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa), Griffin Colby (South Africa)
TMO: Craig Evans (Wales)
