JJ Kotze brings up 50 for Stormers in Lions derby

The 25-year-old hooker, who debuted against Edinburgh in 2021, quickly became a key figure in the squad and started in the URC Grand Final later that same season as the Stormers secured the competition's inaugural title. Since then, he has grown into one of the side's most consistent performers.

The Cape outfit return to action in Johannesburg after a mid-season break, refreshed and eager to launch into the second half of their campaign.

There are a few tweaks to the matchday 23. JD Schickerling assumes the captaincy and partners Adre Smith in the second row, with Paul de Villiers, Ben-Jason Dixon and Evan Roos combining once more in a settled loose trio - their sixth outing together.

Up front, Kotze packs down between props Ntuthuko Mchunu and Sazi Sandi, while Andre-Hugo Venter, Vernon Matongo and Zachary Porthen provide front-row cover from the bench. Connor Evans, Marcel Theunissen and Hacjivah Dayimani will add further impetus among the replacements.

In the backline, the only change from the side that featured in the previous URC derby in Durban sees Stefan Ungerer start at scrumhalf, with Cobus Reinach sidelined as he recovers from surgery. Imad Khan and Jurie Matthee offer backline reinforcements.

Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 JD Schickerling (captain), 4 Adre Smith, 3 Sazi Sandi, 2 JJ Kotze, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.

Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Hacjivah Dayimani, 22 Imad Khan, 23 Jurie Matthee.

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