The DHL Stormers step back onto the turf of DHL Stadium on Sunday with renewed attacking spark as backline stars Seabelo Senatla and Dan du Plessis return from injury for a United Rugby Championship showdown with Dragons RFC.
Kick-off is scheduled for 15h00 before a second fixture later in the afternoon sees a Stormers XXIII line up against the Seattle Seawolves in a friendly at 17h15.
The return of Senatla and Du Plessis adds fresh pace and punch to a backline that already carries plenty of attacking ambition. Senatla slots in on the right wing and links up with fullback Damian Willemse, who shifts away from his recent midfield role to reclaim the No.15 jersey. Du Plessis moves into inside centre, strengthening the midfield channel with his direct running and defensive steel.
Another adjustment in the backline sees Imad Khan handed the starting role at scrumhalf. Stefan Ungerer and Wandisile Simelane provide reinforcements among the replacements.
Here is your DHL Stormers team for Super Sunday at DHL Stadium.
📢 Team announcement https://t.co/vXC5QfJtwv
🎟️ Tickets https://t.co/OSgCcPLrYW #STOvDRA #inittogether @Vodacom #URC pic.twitter.com/trcfSejSc1— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) March 19, 2026
Up front, the Stormers pack also receives a lift. Dynamic No.8 Evan Roos returns after missing last week’s match through injury. His presence brings extra ballast and energy to the loose trio. Marcel Theunissen shifts to flank, while the versatile Ben-Jason Dixon is primed to make his impact in the second half.
Two changes in the front row see Vernon Matongo and JJ Kotzé earn starting berths, strengthening the scrum and set-piece platform that often lays the rails for the Stormers’ attacking train.
Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson believes the return to home soil offers his side an opportunity to build momentum after last week’s victory in Pretoria.
“We are back at DHL Stadium this week and want to make that count. Last week’s performance was very encouraging, but we need to build on that and keep moving forward.
“We have got some quality players coming back into the mix and we are excited to see how some of the combinations go in what should be a tough game against a good Dragons side,” he said.
With familiar attacking threats returning to the fold and the Cape Town crowd expected to roar from the stands, the Stormers aim to turn their home ground into a launching pad. Against a determined Dragons outfit, the contest promises the grind of forward collisions and the flash of backline brilliance.
For the Stormers, the mission is clear. Carry the momentum of last week’s win like a well-driven maul, advance metre by metre, and unleash their backline strike runners when the defensive wall begins to crack.
DHL Stormers
15 Damian Willemse, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel (captain), 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Imad Khan, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Marcel Theunissen, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Adré Smith, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 JJ Kotzé, 1 Vernon Matongo.
Replacements: 16 André-Hugo Venter, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Ben-Jason Dixon, 20 Paul de Villiers, 21 Hacjivah Dayimani, 22 Stefan Ungerer, 23 Wandisile Simelane.
