Damian Willemse headlines a Dan du Plessis-led DHL Stormers lineup featuring several returning players and Vodacom URC debutants against the Ospreys in Swansea on Saturday.
Willemse, who has been sidelined since the end of May due to a finger injury, starts at fullback for the Stormers’ 2024-25 URC opener and first match of a three-week tour to Europe.
The Capetonians tackle Welsh outfit Ospreys at Dunraven Brewery Field this week, before clashes with Zebre (5 October) and Edinburgh (12 October) in Italy and Scotland, respectively.
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Willemse is one of four Springboks selected by Stormers director of rugby John Dobson in the matchday 23, along with utility forward Ben-Jason Dixon and hookers Andre-Hugo Venter and Joseph Dweba.
Veteran centre Ruhan Nel and powerful No 8 Keke Morabe also make their long-awaited comebacks from injury, while newcomer Dave Ewers and towering lock JD Schickerling are in line for their first Stormers appearances in the URC.
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
