Stormers back youth and squad depth to do the job against Scarlets

Paul de Villiers will captain the Stormers for the second time, while director of rugby John Dobson has named a side that blends youth with experience, highlighting the depth available to the Cape side.

“We have four players in Markus Muller, Riley Norton, Olly Reid, and Yaqeen Ahmed who are young enough to be playing for the DHL Stormers Bolts, alongside stalwarts like Deon Fourie, who is the second most-capped player of all time for this club,” said Dobson.

“There are some really dynamic combinations both in the starting lineup and on the replacements bench, and they will all be tested against a Scarlets team that has made an impressive start to the season.

"We have enjoyed great support this month and everyone is looking forward to an electric atmosphere at DHL Stadium.”

Markus Muller earns his first start at inside centre alongside Wandisile Simelane, while Junior Springbok lock Riley Norton pairs with Connor Evans in an all-new second-row combination.

The front row is an all-Springbok unit of Ntuthuko Mchunu, Andre-Hugo Venter and Zachary Porthen, with Evan Roos and Hacjivah Dayimani completing a powerful loose-forward trio behind captain De Villiers.

In the backline, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu continues at flyhalf with Haashim Pead at scrumhalf, while the experienced trio of Warrick Gelant, Seabelo Senatla and Leolin Zas provide finishing power out wide.

The bench features further youth in the form of Olly Reid and Yaqeen Ahmed, balanced by the know-how of Deon Fourie, Cobus Reinach, JD Schickerling and Adre Smith.

Stormers team to take on Scarlets

15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Markus Muller, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Haashim Pead, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Evan Roos, 6 Paul de Villiers (captain), 5 Connor Evans, 4 Riley Norton, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.

Replacements: 16 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 17 Olly Reid, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Adre Smith, 20 JD Schickerling, 21 Deon Fourie, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Yaqeen Ahmed.