KWAAI: Stormers starlet Markus Muller will make his first URC start against Scarlets on Saturday

Image: Stormers Instagram

FLANK Paul de Villiers will continue to lead the Stormers when they take on Scarlets in the United Rugby Championship at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

​De Villiers stepped up to captain the span last week when centre Ruhan Nel was withdrawn from the squad ahead of their Champions Cup encounter with Bristol Bears.

​The team features a blend of youth and Springbok experience, with De Villiers joined in the 23-man squad by three fellow former Junior Bok captains in Riley Norton, Zachary Porthen and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

​Among the backline changes, Markus Muller, 19, makes his first start for the franchise at inside centre, partnering Wandisile Simelane in midfield as Nel continues to rest as a precaution.

​The experienced Warrick Gelant starts at fullback, while Haashim Pead, 21, earns his first start at scrumhalf.

​Experienced international Cobus Reinach and young prospect Yaqeen Ahmed are named among the replacements to provide second-half impact.

​In the loose trio, Hacjivah Dayimani returns at No.8 after recovering from concussion, prompting Evan Roos to shift to blindside flank.​

​An entirely nuwe lock combination sees Norton pair up with Connor Evans, while JD Schickerling and Adre Smith are set to come off the bench.

​Up front, an all-Bok front row of Porthen, Andre-Hugo Venter and Ntuthuko Mchunu is backed up by front-row replacements Olly Reid, Lukhanyo Vokozela and Neethling Fouche.

​Stormers coach John Dobson expressed confidence in the dynamic lineup as they aim to maintain their unbeaten record against the Welsh side.

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

​“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.”

​Stormers team

​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.

READY TO ROLL: Haashim Pead

Image: Stormers Instagram

An entirely nuwe lock combination sees Norton pair up with Connor Evans, while JD Schickerling and Adre Smith are set to come off the bench.

Up front, an all-Bok front row of Porthen, Andre-Hugo Venter and Ntuthuko Mchunu is backed up by front-row replacements Olly Reid, Lukhanyo Vokozela and Neethling Fouche.

Stormers coach John Dobson expressed confidence in the dynamic lineup as they aim to maintain their unbeaten record against the Welsh side.

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

“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.”

Stormers team:

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