Ntuthuko Mchunu set to make Stormers debut in Champions Cup opener against Bayonne

Springbok loosehead prop Ntuthuko Mchunu will make his much-anticipated Stormers debut in the European Champions Cup opener on Friday against Bayonne.

He is one of two Boks that will feature in a much-changed side for the Capetonians as they look for the perfect start to their campaign. Unbeaten in the United Rugby Championship (URC), the visitors to the Stade Jean Dauger (10pm kick-off) will look to build on that momentum against a formidable French side.

Mchunu is joined in the front row by Neethling Fouché and hooker JJ Kotzé, with promising No 2 Lukhanyo Vokozela also in line to make his debut for the Stormers off the replacement bench.

Ben-Jason Dixon is the other returning Springbok, and he will form a loose trio with fetcher Paul de Villiers and eighthman Ruan Ackermann, who makes his first start for the side. Dixon and Ackermann will lead the physical charge of the Cape side, alongside captain Salmaan Moerat, who will make his 50th start for the team. Regular No 8 Evan Roos is expected to make an impact off the bench, along with locks JD Schickerling and Adré Smith.

Director of rugby John Dobson opted again for a Bomb Squad of 6-2 replacements.

At the back, a new halfback pairing must steer the ship with Clinton Swart and young scrumhalf Imad Khan starting. Dan du Plessis steps in for Ruhan Nel in the midfield, but Dobson opted to keep the exciting back-three of fullback Warrick Gelant and speedsters Dylan Maart and Leolin Zas.

“We are up against a team with an impressive home record, and it will require a big performance to start this competition with a win away from home,” he said.

“We are excited about some of the new combinations and feel we are well set up to maintain full intensity for 80 minutes on Friday night.”

Stormers XV

15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Clinton Swart, 9 Imad Khan, 8 Ruan Ackermann, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Connor Evans, 4 Salmaan Moerat (captain), 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 JJ Kotzé, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.

Replacements: 16 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Adré Smith, 20 JD Schickerling, 21 Evan Roos, 22 Dewaldt Duvenage, 23 Jonathan Roche.