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"contents": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It seems like only yesterday that Stormers captain Steven Kitshoff held the United Rugby Championship (URC) trophy aloft in front of a crowd full of roaring fans at the Cape Town Stadium.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yet, tomorrow the Western Province-based outfit will start the challenge of defending their title against Irish outfit Connacht.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This Stormers side is a lot different, playing at a temporary home ground of Danie Craven in Stellenbosch as well as a host of changes to the lineup that beat the Bulls three months ago.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most of the changes in the side are due to Springbok duty. Last season’s star players Kitsoff, Damian Willemse, Deon Fourie, Frans Malherbe and Herschel Jantjies are all in Bok camp while fullback Warrick Gelant has signed a deal with French outfit Racing 92.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stormers coach John Dobson has filled the Gelant-sized hole in the side with experienced fullback Clayton Blommetjies who will make his debut for the side on Saturday.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While Junior Springbok Suleiman Hartzenberg, still only 19 years old, will also make his debut for the Stormers at outside centre.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“We have seen the likes of Clayton, Suleiman and some of the others show some real promise in our pre-season and it will be good to see how they react on Saturday,” Stormers coach John Dobson said.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“We have got an exciting blend of youth and experience, along with more than a few players who really stepped up for us consistently last season.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 16,000-capacity Danie Craven is also expected to be packed and roaring with supporters streaming in from the University of Stellenbosch.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“The players can’t wait to get going again and we know how important it will be to make a strong start this week, especially as we are playing in a rugby-mad place like Stellenbosch on what should be a great day for it,” said Dobson.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1405638\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rugby-Stormers-Stadium1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"342\" /> The DHL Stormers celebrate winning the United Rugby Championship final match against Vodacom Bulls at DHL Stadium on June 18, 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Anton Geyser/Gallo Images)</p>\r\n<h4><b>Shark bite</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the first match of the weekend, the Sharks take on Zebre in Parma, Italy. It will also be the Sharks’ first match of the URC season after their bye last weekend.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While Zebre have some game time under their belt after their narrow 33-29 loss to Leinster last weekend.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Durban-based side seemingly had a gruelling pre-season after their first and second-choice flyhalves — Curwin Bosch and Lionel Cronje — both broke their arms in training.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“That was very bad luck, but we are very fortunate to have Boeta Chamberlain in good form. He has played very well in our two warm-up games — wins over the Lions and Stormers — and let’s remember how well Boeta played on that tour last November. He took his opportunity very well,” Sharks head coach Sean Everitt said.</span>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<strong>Visit <a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=in_article_link&utm_campaign=homepage\"><em>Daily Maverick's</em> home page</a> for more news, analysis and investigations</strong>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Sharks have a new acquisition in midfield in Rohan Janse van Rensburg who stays loyal to the Sharks only swapping Sale for Durban. The sizable Springbok centre starts in the No 12 jumper alongside Australian Ben Tapuai in midfield.</span>\r\n<h4><b>Bulls revenge</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Last season’s runners-up, the Bulls got their URC campaign up and running in the best possible way with a comfortable 31-15 victory in a Jukskei derby against the Lions last week.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The side from Pretoria will take on Scottish outfit Edinburgh at fortress Loftus tomorrow afternoon.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“It was good to be able to start the new season on a winning note, beating a tough Lions side in their own backyard. We had a few areas we identified that we needed to work on this week and the boys were hard at work getting those better,” said Bulls director of rugby, Jake White.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1405640\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rugby-Stormers-Stadium4.jpg\" alt=\"Bulls and Stormers URC final 2022\" width=\"720\" height=\"470\" /> David Kriel of the Bulls tackled by Seabelo Senatla and Junior Pokomela of the Stormers during the United Rugby Championship final match between DHL Stormers and Vodacom Bulls at DHL Stadium on June 18, 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)</p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Edinburgh is a tough and talented side. They had an incredible game against Dragons last weekend where they won by a convincing margin. We know how tough they are from our last meeting in the previous season where they beat us. We will need to be at our best if we want to get a good result.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Bulls will be bolstered with the return of Springbok Johan Goosen from injury. The talented utility back will start the encounter at fullback with last season’s regular flyhalf Chris Smith in the No 10 jersey.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There’s also experience on the bench with veteran Morne Steyn ready to be called upon.</span>\r\n<h4><b>Lions changeup</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Lions have sprung the changes after last weekend’s opening defeat.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The changes include a new halfback pairing as Sanele Nohamba takes over at scrumhalf from Morne van den Berg while at flyhalf, Jordan Hendrikse drops to the bench with Gianni Lombard replacing him.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The other change in the backline sees Zander du Plessis come in at outside centre in place of Henco de Wet.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Among the forwards, Emmanuel Tshituka starts at blindside flank replacing Ruhan Straeuli, with Ruben Schoeman moving into lock as Ruan Venter drops to the bench.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Lions will be hoping the change of personnel will change their fortunes when they take on Ospreys in Wales on Saturday evening. </span><b>DM</b>\r\n<h4><b>Weekend URC fixtures:</b></h4>\r\n<h4><b>Friday:</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zebre vs Sharks (6:30pm)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Leinster vs Benetton (8:35pm)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Glasgow Warriors vs Cardiff (8:35pm)</span>\r\n<h4><b>Saturday:</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Scarlets vs Ulster (2pm)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bulls vs Edinburgh (2:30pm)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stormers vs Connacht (2:30pm)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ospreys vs Lions (8:35pm)</span>\r\n<h4><b>Sunday:</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dragons vs Munster (4pm)</span>\r\n<div style=\"width: 100%; height: 400px;\" data-tf-widget=\"K2ptFXjT\" data-tf-inline-on-mobile=\"\" data-tf-iframe-props=\"title=How are you surviving Stage 6? 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"description": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It seems like only yesterday that Stormers captain Steven Kitshoff held the United Rugby Championship (URC) trophy aloft in front of a crowd full of roaring fans at the Cape Town Stadium.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yet, tomorrow the Western Province-based outfit will start the challenge of defending their title against Irish outfit Connacht.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This Stormers side is a lot different, playing at a temporary home ground of Danie Craven in Stellenbosch as well as a host of changes to the lineup that beat the Bulls three months ago.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most of the changes in the side are due to Springbok duty. Last season’s star players Kitsoff, Damian Willemse, Deon Fourie, Frans Malherbe and Herschel Jantjies are all in Bok camp while fullback Warrick Gelant has signed a deal with French outfit Racing 92.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stormers coach John Dobson has filled the Gelant-sized hole in the side with experienced fullback Clayton Blommetjies who will make his debut for the side on Saturday.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While Junior Springbok Suleiman Hartzenberg, still only 19 years old, will also make his debut for the Stormers at outside centre.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“We have seen the likes of Clayton, Suleiman and some of the others show some real promise in our pre-season and it will be good to see how they react on Saturday,” Stormers coach John Dobson said.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“We have got an exciting blend of youth and experience, along with more than a few players who really stepped up for us consistently last season.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 16,000-capacity Danie Craven is also expected to be packed and roaring with supporters streaming in from the University of Stellenbosch.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“The players can’t wait to get going again and we know how important it will be to make a strong start this week, especially as we are playing in a rugby-mad place like Stellenbosch on what should be a great day for it,” said Dobson.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1405638\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"720\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-1405638\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rugby-Stormers-Stadium1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"342\" /> The DHL Stormers celebrate winning the United Rugby Championship final match against Vodacom Bulls at DHL Stadium on June 18, 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Anton Geyser/Gallo Images)[/caption]\r\n<h4><b>Shark bite</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the first match of the weekend, the Sharks take on Zebre in Parma, Italy. It will also be the Sharks’ first match of the URC season after their bye last weekend.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While Zebre have some game time under their belt after their narrow 33-29 loss to Leinster last weekend.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Durban-based side seemingly had a gruelling pre-season after their first and second-choice flyhalves — Curwin Bosch and Lionel Cronje — both broke their arms in training.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“That was very bad luck, but we are very fortunate to have Boeta Chamberlain in good form. He has played very well in our two warm-up games — wins over the Lions and Stormers — and let’s remember how well Boeta played on that tour last November. He took his opportunity very well,” Sharks head coach Sean Everitt said.</span>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<strong>Visit <a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=in_article_link&utm_campaign=homepage\"><em>Daily Maverick's</em> home page</a> for more news, analysis and investigations</strong>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Sharks have a new acquisition in midfield in Rohan Janse van Rensburg who stays loyal to the Sharks only swapping Sale for Durban. The sizable Springbok centre starts in the No 12 jumper alongside Australian Ben Tapuai in midfield.</span>\r\n<h4><b>Bulls revenge</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Last season’s runners-up, the Bulls got their URC campaign up and running in the best possible way with a comfortable 31-15 victory in a Jukskei derby against the Lions last week.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The side from Pretoria will take on Scottish outfit Edinburgh at fortress Loftus tomorrow afternoon.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“It was good to be able to start the new season on a winning note, beating a tough Lions side in their own backyard. We had a few areas we identified that we needed to work on this week and the boys were hard at work getting those better,” said Bulls director of rugby, Jake White.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1405640\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"720\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-1405640\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rugby-Stormers-Stadium4.jpg\" alt=\"Bulls and Stormers URC final 2022\" width=\"720\" height=\"470\" /> David Kriel of the Bulls tackled by Seabelo Senatla and Junior Pokomela of the Stormers during the United Rugby Championship final match between DHL Stormers and Vodacom Bulls at DHL Stadium on June 18, 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Edinburgh is a tough and talented side. They had an incredible game against Dragons last weekend where they won by a convincing margin. We know how tough they are from our last meeting in the previous season where they beat us. We will need to be at our best if we want to get a good result.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Bulls will be bolstered with the return of Springbok Johan Goosen from injury. 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"summary": "All four South African teams will be in action this weekend as defending URC champions Stormers prepare for battle against Connacht at Danie Craven.",
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The DHL Stormers celebrate winning the United Rugby Championship final match against Vodacom Bulls at DHL Stadium on June 18, 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Anton Geyser/Gallo Images)
David Kriel of the Bulls tackled by Seabelo Senatla and Junior Pokomela of the Stormers during the United Rugby Championship final match between DHL Stormers and Vodacom Bulls at DHL Stadium on June 18, 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)