Champions Cup: Evan Roos returns as Stormers reshuffle pack for Bristol clash

By SABC Sport
13th October 2026

Evan Roos will make his first appearance of the season when the Stormers launch their Champions Cup campaign against Bristol Bears in Cape Town on Saturday.

The Springbok number eight has recovered from a hamstring injury and returns to the starting line-up following the Cape side's 39-22 victory over the Sharks in the United Rugby Championship last weekend.

His comeback is timely for director of rugby John Dobson, with Hacjivah Dayimani sidelined by concussion. The Stormers have also made wholesale changes to their front row.

Vernon Matongo, JJ Kotze and Sazi Sandi will start at loosehead prop, hooker and tighthead prop respectively, while Andre-Hugo Venter, Ntuthuko Mchunu and Zachary Porthen will provide front-row cover from the bench.

There are no changes to the starting backline, with Warrick Gelant returning to the replacements after being left out of the match-day squad last week.

Dobson is keen for his team to carry their recent momentum into Europe's premier club competition, particularly with home results potentially proving decisive in the pool stage.

"We saw last season how important collecting points in the pool phase is in the Investec Champions Cup, which makes your home matches crucial," he said.

"We have kept a fair amount of continuity in selection as we look to build on some of the momentum from last week's win. While it is disappointing to lose Hacjivah to concussion, we are able to call on Evan, who is raring to go, along with the new front row."

The Stormers will also be looking to draw energy from their home support as they begin their European campaign against a Bristol side with experience of winning on South African soil.

The English outfit, coached by Pat Lam, reached the Champions Cup round of 16 last season but head to Cape Town after a 30-7 defeat to Saracens in the Premiership.

Stormers starting XV: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel (captain), 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Sazi Sandi, 2 JJ Kotze, 1 Vernon Matongo.

Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Riley Norton, 21 Deon Fourie, 22 Haashim Pead, 23 Warrick Gelant