Jean-Luc du Plessis will carry more than the captain’s armband when the DHL Stormers XXIII launch their Carling Currie Cup campaign against defending champions Suzuki Griquas at DHL Stadium on Friday night.
The experienced flyhalf has been handed the responsibility of leading a side packed with fresh talent eager to prove they belong on one of South African rugby’s biggest stages.
No fewer than six players are set for their Carling Currie Cup debuts. Fullback Dylan Miller, winger Mfundo Ndhlovu, lock Tom Barnard, No 8 Wandile Mlaba, loose forward Xola Nyali and utility back Dominic Malgas all get their first taste of South Africa’s oldest provincial competition.
Three more players begin new chapters in Stormers colours. Hooker Vernon Paulo, prop Hencus van Wyk and scrumhalf Tiaan Fourie will all make their first Currie Cup appearances for the Cape side.
It is a bold selection from head coach Tom Dawson-Squibb, who has mixed youth with proven experience in an effort to make an early statement against a Griquas team arriving in Cape Town with the champions’ crown firmly on their heads.
Du Plessis and Stefan Ungerer bring composure at halfback, while Josh Boulle and Cornel Smit provide experience in midfield.
There is plenty of excitement in the back three, where Miller, Gino Cupido and Ndhlovu will look to stretch the Griquas defence with pace and attacking flair.
Veteran lock Gerbrandt Grobler, part of the Western Province side that lifted the Currie Cup trophy in 2014, anchors the pack alongside debutant Barnard. Wandile Mlaba packs down at the back of the scrum with Divan Fuller and Keke Morabe completing an energetic loose trio.
The Stormers bench also carries plenty of firepower, with former Springbok hooker Scarra Ntubeni adding experience alongside Van Wyk, Mhleli Khuzwayo, Dylan de Leeuw, Enos Ndiao, Nyali, Fourie and Malgas.
Dawson-Squibb wants his players to embrace what he calls an “unreasonable” mindset.
“We are a new team and there will be moments where we have to adapt during the game. The biggest thing we have is enthusiasm and competitiveness,” he said.
“For the past four weeks the message has been to compete unreasonably. We want to push ourselves beyond every limit. There is no bigger test than facing the defending champions who are full of confidence.”
The coach believes Friday night’s clash marks the beginning of something special for the Stormers.
“This is the start of a new era. Playing at DHL Stadium makes it even more special. Everyone is excited about the challenge and determined to make a winning start.”
The champions arrive with the title. The Stormers arrive with fearless youngsters, a respected leader in Du Plessis and a point to prove.
On Friday night, talk gives way to tackles.
DHL Stormers XXIII: 15 Dylan Miller, 14 Gino Cupido, 13 Josh Boulle, 12 Cornel Smit, 11 Mfundo Ndhlovu, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis (captain), 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Wandile Mlaba, 7 Divan Fuller, 6 Keke Morabe, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Tom Barnard, 3 Herman Lubbe, 2 Vernon Paulo, 1 Oli Kebble.
Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Mhleli Khuzwayo, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Dylan de Leeuw, 20 Enos Ndiao, 21 Xola Nyali, 22 Tiaan Fourie, 23 Dominic Malgas.
