Stormers superstars ready for historic date with the All Blacks in Cape Town

The Stormers team will face New Zealand for the first time in the history of the club.

Centre Nel is joined in the midfield by Jonathan Roche. Then 20-year-old Junior Springbok flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed - in his first appearance for the Stormers - will link up with scrumhalf Imad Khan.

Fullback Warrick Gelant will have wings Seabelo Senatla and Leolin Zas alongside him, with the experienced Dewaldt Duvenage and the versatile Wandisile Simelane set to provide backline impact off the replacements bench.

Up front, Springbok hooker Andre-Hugo Venter will have props Vernon Matongo and Neethling Fouche either side of him, with JJ Kotze, Ntuthuko Mchunu and Sazi Sandi on the replacements bench.

Adre Smith and Connor Evans will link up in the second row, with Ruan Ackermann set to be unleashed in the second half.

The loose trio of Evan Roos, Hacjivah Dayimani and Deon Fourie is the same combination that started the 2022 United Rugby Championship Grand Final, which saw the Stormers claim the inaugural title at DHL Stadium.

Keke Morabe and Wandile Mlaba have been rewarded for their impressive form in the Currie Cup with places on the bench.

Director of Rugby John Dobson said that his team will embrace the occasion at DHL Stadium.

"This is history in the making as the DHL Stormers take on New Zealand for the first time, and our team is determined to make it one to remember for our fans," said Dobson.

"For a club side to take on an international team ranked second in the world is a massive opportunity and one that every player and management member is looking forward to."

Kick-off is at 19:00 on Friday night.

Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel (c), 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Yaqeen Ahmed, 9 Imad Khan, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Connor Evans, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Vernon Matongo.

Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Ruan Ackermann, 20 Keke Morabe, 21 Wandile Mlaba, 22 Dewaldt Duvenage, 23 Wandisile Simelane.

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