Stormers vs Connacht: United Rugby Championship Live Scores, Saturday 13 May 2023
Key Highlights :
The DHL Stormers and Connacht will face off in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship semi-final at DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday 13 May 2023. With two injury-enforced changes to the Stormers starting line-up, Willie Engelbrecht will start on the flank and Ben-Jason Dixon comes in at lock for the knock-out clash with the Irish side.
A large crowd is expected, so spectators are encouraged to park remotely, catch a free MyCiti Bus shuttle from the CTICC, Thibault Square or Civic Centre bus stations and plan to arrive at least two hours before kick-off. No umbrellas will be allowed inside DHL Stadium. Gates at DHL Stadium will open at 13h30, with a beer garden and Red Bull DJ playing live.
There are three new faces on the replacements bench, with lock Connor Evans, flank Marcel Theunissen and utility back Jean-Luc du Plessis included for the semifinal. DHL Stormers Head Coach John Dobson said that his team is ready to give their all on Saturday.
The teams for the match are as follows:
Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Willie Engelbrecht, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Ben-Jason Dixon, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain). Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze. 17 Ali Vermaak. 18 Neethling Fouche. 19 Connor Evans. 20 Marcel Theunissen. 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 23 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
Connacht: 15 Tiernan O’Halloran, 14 John Porch, 13 Tom Farrell, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Mack Hansen, 10 Jack Carty, 9 Caolin Blade, 8 Cian Prendergast, 7 Conor Oliver, 6 Shamus Hurley-Langton, 5 Niall Murray, 4 Josh Murphy, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Dave Heffernan, 1 Denis Buckley. Replacements: 16 Dylan Tierney-Martin, 17 Jordan Duggan, 18 Jack Aungier, 19 Oisín Dowling, 20 Jarrad Butler, 21 Kieran Marmion, 22 Tom Daly 23 Byron Ralston.
Referee: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Sam Grove-White (Scotland) & Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
TMO: Ben Blain (Scotland)
The Stormers come into the match with a strong record in the United Rugby Championship, having won the competition in 2018, 2019 and 2020. They will be looking to make it four in a row against a Connacht side that has been in good form in the tournament.
The Stormers have a strong forward pack with the likes of Steven Kitshoff, Ruben van Heerden, Hacjivah Dayimani and Willie Engelbrecht all set to start. They will be looking to dominate the set pieces and use their powerful running game to break down the Connacht defence.
Connacht have been impressive in the tournament, with their strong kicking game and fast-paced attack causing problems for their opponents. They have a solid back line with the likes of Tiernan O’Halloran, John Porch and Bundee Aki all set to start.
The match promises to be an exciting one, with both teams looking to secure a place in the final. Follow along as we cover the Stormers vs Connacht United Rugby Championship semi-final live from the DHL Stadium in Cape Town.
