Josh Adams and Josh McNally return to the Cardiff Rugby line-up for the BKT United Rugby Championship quarter final clash with the Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday 30 May (2.30pm).
The two most experienced players in the Cardiff squad will be hoping to add to the spirit and determination that saw the Welsh region beat the South Africans 22-16 at the Arms Park two weeks ago.
Wales wing Adams returns from a head knock to take over from Tom Bowen in the starting XV, with the Wales U20 starlet dropping to the bench. McNally was unavailable for the game two weeks ago due to RAF duties but returns to partner Rory Thornton in the second row.
The only other changes to the starting line-up are in the front row, where Rhys Barrett and Keiron Assiratti come off the bench into the side in a switch with Danny Southworth and Javan Sebastien.
Even though he has been to two World Cups, playing for the British & Irish Lions and won more than 50 caps for Wales, Adams says he can’t wait to savour the atmosphere of a URC play-off game.
“I’ve never been in any sort of play-off before so it’s new and really exciting. I’m looking forward to it,” said the 31-year-old.
“It’s going to take a bigger effort than the last time we played them. We understand the Stormers are a very, very good home side.
“We’re under no illusion that probably the last time we played them, they didn’t play to the best of their ability. The quality they have, I know that they’ll be better for it this weekend, so, we’re going to certainly have to be better as a team.”
The Stormers lost only two of their nine home games this season, whereas five of Cardiff’s six away wins this season and last in the URC have all been in Wales. Their only win away from Wales was in Parma against Zebre in November.
“We have some key players returning, which makes this one of the most experienced Stormers teams that we have ever selected. We have earned this opportunity to play a quarter final in front of our fans, and we want to make it count,” said Stormers head coach John Dobson.
The injury concerns over full back Damien Willemse, wing Leolin Zas and start outside half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu have all disappeared for the home side and they will be seeking revenge for what happened to them at the Arms Park.
“South African teams, especially at home, are very strong. I think the physicality that they’ll bring with the emotion of the occasion, being back at home as well, is something we’ve touched on,” said Adams.
“That area of the game will really set the tone for how things will unfold. It takes a whole squad effort to win matches like this.
“When you’ve got good quality coming off the bench, as we have, then making an impact in your time on the pitch is really, really important if you want to win games out here.
“I think we’ve grown from last year. Something we spoke about at the beginning of the season was of wanting to be a team that pushes forward, grows, adapts, tries different things, and we have been.
“To achieve a quarter-final victory out here in South Africa with Cardiff, I certainly think will be up there with some real big achievements. We’ll give ourselves a really good chance, and that’s all we can ask for.”
TEAMS
DHL Stormers: Damian Willemse; Seabelo Senatla, Ruhan Nel (captain), Dan du Plessis, Leolin Zas; Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Imad Khan; Ntuthuko Mchunu, André-Hugo Venter, Neethling Fouché, Adré Smith, Ruben van Heerden, Paul de Villiers, Ben-Jason Dixon, Evan Roos
Reps: JJ Kotzé, Vernon Matongo, Zachary Porthen, Salmaan Moerat, Ruan Ackermann, Marcel Theunissen, Stefan Ungerer, Jurie MattheeCardiff Rugby: Cam Winnett; Jacob Beetham, Ben Thomas, Rory Jennings, Josh Adams; Ioan Lloyd, Johan Mulder; Rhys Barratt, Liam Belcher (captain), Keiron Assiratti, Josh McNally, Rory Thornton, James Botham, Dan Thomas, Taine Basham
Reps: Daf Hughes, Danny Southworth, Javan Sebastian, George Nott, Alun Lawrence, Evan Lloyd, Ellis Bevan, Tom BowenReferee: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)