Backline bolters bring experience and pace to Stormers line-up for Dragons test

The Stormers take on the Welsh side in a Vodacom United Rugby Championship encounter at 15:00 on Sunday before the Stormers XXIII face the Seattle Seawolves in a friendly at 17:15.

Senatla is on the right wing and will link up with fullback Damian Willemse, whose place at inside centre has been taken by du Plessis. The only other change to the backline sees Imad Khan start at scrumhalf, with Stefan Ungerer and Wandisile Simelane the two backs on the replacements bench.

Evan Roos returns from the injury that kept him out of action last week, so Marcel Theunissen shifts to the flank with Ben-Jason Dixon set to make an impact in the second half.

There are two changes to the front row, with Vernon Matongo and JJ Kotze in the starting line-up this week.

Director of Rugby John Dobson said that it is vital for his team to back up their win in Pretoria last week with a strong performance at home.

“We are back at DHL Stadium this week and want to make that count," he told the Stormers' website.

"Last week's performance was very encouraging, but we need to build on that and keep moving forward.

“We have got some quality players coming back into the mix, and we are excited to see how some of the combinations go in what should be a tough game against a good Dragons side,” he said.

Stormers - 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel (c), 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Imad Khan, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Marcel Theunissen, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 JJ Kotze, 1 Vernon Matongo.

Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Ben-Jason Dixon, 20 Paul de Villiers, 21 Hacjivah Dayimani, 22 Stefan Ungerer, 23 Wandisile Simelane.