Sunday’s Investec Champions Cup opener in London sets the stage for a classic clash of climates and cultures, as the red-hot DHL Stormers stride into the icy confines of the Twickenham Stoop to face a Harlequins side searching for traction.
Unbeaten across competitions and perched atop both the URC and Pool Three, the Stormers arrive like a rolling maul gathering momentum, while Harlequins are desperate to rediscover their attacking rhythm after a bruising domestic run.
Willemse expects Quins to trust their DNA
Stormers captain Damian Willemse expects Harlequins to lean back into their traditional attacking instincts, regardless of the winter conditions.
“I don’t know how the weather is going to turn out, but I think it’s definitely going to be a physical game, and the aerial game is going to be massive again coming from their side as well,” Willemse said.
“They will look to play the ball. From what we’ve heard, that’s in their DNA.
“We can try and imagine what they are going to bring, but again we will assess on game day and make the plans and solutions if need be.”
With frost in the air and tactics likely to tighten like a scrum under pressure, the battle in the skies and at the breakdown could prove decisive.
Fresh faces add edge to Stormers Selection
Four Stormers players are set to make their Champions Cup debuts, injecting fresh energy into an already humming squad. Luke Burger starts on the left wing, while Alex Groves, Wandile Mlaba and former Blitzboks speedster Mfundo Ndhlovu wait to pounce from the bench.
Willemse leads from inside centre, partnering Suleiman Hartzenberg in midfield, while the electric back three of Warrick Gelant, Dylan Maart and Burger offers counter-attacking threat from deep.
Experience anchors the spine. Dewaldt Duvenage and Jurie Matthee steer the ship at halfback, while Oli Kebble celebrates his 50th Stormers appearance in a front row featuring Springbok tighthead Zachary Porthen and rising hooker Lukhanyo Vokozela.
Dobson: Adapt or be left in the cold
Director of rugby John Dobson highlighted the challenge of switching from Cape Town sunshine to London winter in a matter of days.
“We had three good training days at home before leaving and those were in vastly different conditions to what we can expect on Sunday, so our challenge is to acclimatise as quickly as possible.
“This matchday squad includes three Stormers centurions and five Springboks along with the four debutants, so we have got a good mix. The one thing they all have in common is that they are focused on giving their all to get the right result this weekend.”
With a 10-match winning streak behind them, the Stormers resemble a side in full stride — but Europe has a habit of humbling even the most confident travellers.
Quins reload with Smith pulling the strings
Harlequins, third in the pool and reeling from three heavy Premiership defeats, are bolstered by the return of centurion Tyrone Green at fullback and the inclusion of Cadan Murley in the back three.
Marcus Smith orchestrates from flyhalf, with Lucas Friday earning his first European start at scrumhalf. In the pack, skipper Alex Dombrandt leads a familiar back row alongside Jack Kenningham and Chandler Cunningham-South, while Guido Petti Pagadizábal adds steel to the engine room.
Quins opt for a 6–2 bench split, signalling an intent to meet the Stormers’ power head-on before unleashing impact late.
Collision course at the Stoop
With contrasting form lines, clashing styles and winter conditions sharpening every collision, Sunday’s contest promises a tactical arm-wrestle where precision, patience and adaptability will matter as much as flair.
One side arrives with momentum like a runaway train. The other hopes home turf can reignite its spark. When the whistle blows, only one narrative will survive the cold London afternoon.
Teams:
Harlequins: 15 Tyrone Green, 14 Nick David, 13 Luke Northmore, 12 Bryn Bradley, 11 Cadan Murley, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Lucas Friday, 8 Alex Dombrandt (captain), 7 Jack Kenningham, 6 Chandler Cunningham-South, 5 Kieran Treadwell, 4 Guido Petti Pagadizábal, 3 Pedro Delgado, 2 Jack Walker, 1 Simon Kerrod.
Replacements: 16 George Turner, 17 Will Hobson, 18 Harry Williams, 19 Elliot Williams, 20 Zach Carr, 21 Tom Lawday, 22 Max Green, 23 Jarrod Evans.
Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 12 Damian Willemse (captain), 11 Luke Burger, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Marcel Theunissen, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Louw Nel, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Connor Evans, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 1 Oli Kebble.
Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Alex Groves, 20 Wandile Mlaba, 21 Imad Khan, 22 Clinton Swart, 23 Mfundo Ndhlovu.
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Assistant referees: Shota Tevzadze (Georgia), Amber Stamp-Dunstan (Wales)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales) Kick-off: 15:00 SA Time
