While the Stormers are in London for a Champions Cup clash against Harlequins, back home, the concerns are growing around the pitch of the DHL Stadium.
Following their nail-biting victory over the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship this past weekend, director of rugby John Dobson revealed that bruiser-lock Adré Smith picked up an infection after injuring his knee in the match. Smith, who was set to face the Harlequins on Sunday (3pm kick-off), has been in the hospital for a couple of days and will spend two more days there.
Tighthead prop Neethling Fouché also ended up with scrapes to his face following the game, while Dobson said a few more players were casualties of the turf.
They face Leicester Tigers in a crucial European clash next Saturday at the DHL Stadium and should be at full strength after sending a mixed squad to take on the struggling Quins at Twickenham Stoop in their second-last pool game.
Despite tweaking his team and including four debutants in the match-day 23, Dobson is confident they’ve selected a side that can produce the goods and return home with a victory. Damian Willemse will captain the side, and he is one of the three Stormers centurions and four Springboks in the side. The Stormers also boast a former Scottish international in No 1 Oli Kebble, who will play in his 50th game for the Cape side.
Dobson also confirmed loose head prop Ali Vermaak is out with a torn Achilles and loose forward Ruan Ackermann is through a bulged disc in his neck. Ackermann would’ve played a prominent role in the familiar English conditions.
Our team for the Investec Champions Cup Round Three clash in London on Sunday afternoon.
📢 Team announcement https://t.co/B8ADTVykI1
📺 @SuperSportTV #HARvSTO #inittogether pic.twitter.com/DY0PKWuXfl— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) January 9, 2026
Even though they did not have an ideal week of training, the director of rugby said his players are geared to make the most of the opportunity.
“Adré was a consideration for us (after losing Ruan), but he is not available,” Dobson said about the injury to Smith.
“He sustained quite a serious injury last week on that pitch, which is a source of enormous frustration for us. There is no beating around the bush about it. He split his knee and got an infection where the field was not adequately covered by grass.
“The doctors put it directly down to the condition of the field. He is not the only guy who sustained grazes. He also picked up a turf toe against Cardiff. It doesn’t make us happy at all. We were promised a world-class pitch after the final against Munster, and we didn’t have that.
“It is a really desperate situation, and we hope Stormers Rugby takes this up.”
Looking at the Harlequins match, the Stormers are bracing themselves for a total onslaught. They know they’ll have their hands full with abrasive forwards like captain Alex Dombrandt, fellow loose forwards Chandler Cunningham-South and Jack Kenningham, as well as Argentina lock Guido Petti and his international teammate, prop Pedro Delgado.
At the back, flyhalf Marcus Smith will pull the strings, while South African Tyrone Green can cause trouble in the No 15 jersey.
He made his debut back in 2014 and on Sunday @olikebble will play his 50th match for our team. #oil #inittogether pic.twitter.com/63FuY9ItDe
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) January 9, 2026
“When they turn it on, they are unbeatable,” Dobson said about their opponents.
“They are up there with the best in the world. They have decided to focus on Europe. Looking at that team, from No 1 through to No 15, they have really good players. I do think they have some soft moments, whether it is on defence or around the set piece.
“We will have to deal with that on Sunday.”
Stormers XV
15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 12 Damian Willemse (captain), 11 Luke Burger, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Marcel Theunissen, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Louw Nel, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Connor Evans, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 1 Oli Kebble.
Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Alex Groves, 20 Wandile Mlaba, 21 Imad Khan, 22 Clinton Swart, 23 Mfundo Ndhlovu.
