FILE - Springboks flank Ben-Jason Dixon scores a try in a Test match against Portugal earlier this year. Dixon is back in the Stormers starting team for the match against Zebre Parma. FILE - Springboks flank Ben-Jason Dixon scores a try in a Test match against Portugal earlier this year. Dixon is back in the Stormers starting team for the match against Zebre Parma. Picture: Phill Magakoe / AFP
The Stormers have been boosted by Springbok flank Ben-Jason Dixon moving into the starting line-up, while another Bok Warrick Gelant is on the bench for the United Rugby Championship match against Zebre Parma on Saturday.
Dixon will start at blindside flank for the clash against the Italian side at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi (8.35pm kickoff) after coming off the bench in last week’s defeat against the Ospreys.
Gelant is back after struggling with a calf injury. It was speculated this week that he could come straight into the starting team at fullback, with Damian Willemse moving to flyhalf. However, the Stormers have kept faith in young flyhalf Jurie Matthee, who will start his second-consecutive game.
Elsewhere on the bench, prop Sazi Sandi and scrumhalf Dewaldt Duvenage are among the replacements, which also features loose forward Louw Nel, who will make his Stormers debut when he takes the field.
Director of rugby John Dobson said that after a full week of training in Italy, his team is determined to make every minute count in Parma.
"This has been a good week for us and we are all excited to see what this team can do against an in-form Zebre Parma side.
"The players coming in all bring something unique that will hopefully see us lift our standards across the board on Saturday.
"We will have to be as sharp as ever and make the most of every opportunity that comes our way. It is a challenge we are all looking forward to," he said.
Stormers team for Zebre Parma:
15 Damian Willemse, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan du Plessis (captain), 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Keke Morabe, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Marcel Theunissen, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 JD Schickerling, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Sti Sithole.
Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Adre Smith, 20 Louw Nel, 21 Dewaldt Duvenage, 22 Warrick Gelant, 23 Angelo Davids.
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