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Fourie captains Stormers in Belfast as Willemse moves to 12

Deon Fourie captains the Stormers for his 140th cap against Ulster in Belfast on Friday, with Willemse shifting to inside centre and Gelant returning at fullback to cover for the injured Ruhan Nel.

Deon Fourie will captain the Stormers against Ulster in Belfast on Friday night, earning his 140th cap for the franchise in the process. Ruhan Nel misses the Round 17 URC clash with a calf injury, triggering a reshuffle in the backline.

Dan du Plessis moves to outside centre in Nel's absence, with Damian Willemse shifting from fullback to inside centre and Warrick Gelant returning to 15. Imad Khan starts at scrumhalf, with Stefan Ungerer and Jurie Matthee covering the backline from the bench.

Evan Roos starts at No.8 for his 73rd time in that jersey, drawing level with Duane Vermeulen for the most starts in the position in Stormers history. Fourie and Ben-Jason Dixon complete the loose trio. Ruben van Heerden and Adré Smith continue in the second row, with André-Hugo Venter and Ntuthuko Mchunu joining Sazi Sandi in the front row.

Dobson acknowledged the forced changes but expressed confidence in the group, noting the match is critical to the Stormers' play-off positioning.

Kick-off at the Affidea Stadium is 20:45 SAST, with Andrea Piardi of Italy as referee.

Sources

Rugby365https://rugby365.com/tournaments/united-rugby-championship/stormers-boss-shifts-damian-willemse-again/

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