Super Rugby - LOBBERTS GETS A SHOT WITH STORMERS

A 28-man Stormers squad will get a thorough work-out against four different teams at Florida Park in Ravensmead on Saturday.

In the first pre-season fixture of the 2020 Super Rugby campaign, the extended squad will face University teams UCT, Maties, CPUT and a DHL WP XV

In the 28-man squad for the four 20-minute periods are several players with Super Rugby experience such as Jean-Luc du Plessis, Godlen Masimla, Chad Solomon, Ernst van Rhyn, Ali Vermaak, Chris van Zyl and Leolin Zas, who returns to the team after a couple of seasons with the Sharks.

Springbok Hilton Lobberts, who has returned to the Western Cape to play club rugby, has also been included in the squad.

The Stormers squad will play their first period against CPUT, followed directly by 20 minutes against DHL WP XV.

The players will then take a break as the Varsity teams battle it out amongst each other, with the final two 20-minute periods against UCT and five-time Varsity Cup champions Maties ending the day.

Stormers head coach John Dobson said that the Varsity Day will be a great opportunity for a number of players to make an impression, with the start of the 2020 Super Rugby season fast approaching.

“We know that the Varsities will all be going flat-out, which is exactly what we need in our first pre-season game.

“We have a nice blend of experienced players in need of game-time and talented young players who will be keen to prove themselves, which should make for some good rugby.

“We are also looking forward to spending some time with the local community and starting 2020 in amongst our Faithful supporters,” he said.

Following Varsity Day the Stormers will send a team to play the Kings at Loerie Park in Knysna on Friday, January 17 before they wrap up the pre-season against the Sharks at FNB Stadium in Soweto on SuperHero Sunday, January 19.

Stormers Varsity Day squad: Kwenzo Blose, Deon Carstens, Ben-Jason Dixon, Lucky Dlepu, Jean-Luc du Plessis, Schalk Erasmus, Brendon Esterhuizen, Neethling Fouche, Hannes Gous, Michal Haznar, Lyle Hendricks, Thys Kitshoff, David Kriel, Hilton Lobberts, Leon Lyons, Godlen Masimla, David Meihuizen, Matt Moore, Juan Mostert, Sihle Njezula, Sazi Sandi, Cornel Smit, Chad Solomon, Abner van Reenen, Ernst van Rhyn, Chris van Zyl, Ali Vermaak, Nama Xaba, Leolin Zas.