Stormers team v All Blacks: Deon Fourie returns as Springboks snubs feature in Greatest Rivalry opener
Deon Fourie (left) and Evan Roos (right) both feature in the Stormers side to face the All Blacks this Friday night
Springboks World Cup winner Deon Fourie will make his return to the pitch this weekend after being named in the Stormers’ team to face the All Blacks on Friday night.
The 39-year-old forward, who can play both flanker and hooker, has been out of action since the start of May through a bicep injury, but has been named in the run-on group for the Greatest Rivalry opener in Cape Town.
Elsewhere, a number of Springboks-capped players feature in John Dobson’s 23-man squad, including the likes of Evan Roos, André-Hugo Venter and Ntuthuko Mchunu.
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Warrick Gelant gets the nod at full-back, with Seabelo Senatla and Leolin Zas named on the wings. Ruhan Nel captains the side from outside centre, with Jonathan Roche his midfield partner. Debutant Yaqeen Ahmed starts alongside Imad Khan in the halves.
The aforementioned Roos and Fourie feature alongside Hacjivah Dayimani in the back-row, while Connor Evans and Adré Smith form the lock pairing. Neethling Fouché and Vernon Matongo join the aforementioned Venter in the front-row.
Dobson has also named JJ Kotzé, Mchunu, Sazi Sandi, Ruan Ackermann, Keke Morabe, Wandile Mlaba, Dewaldt Duvenage and Wandisile Simelane on his replacements list.
Commenting on his squad, the Stormers boss said: “This is history in the making as the DHL Stormers take on New Zealand for the first time, and our team is determined to make it one to remember for our fans.
“For a club side to take on an international team ranked second in the world is a massive opportunity and one that every player and management member is looking forward to.”
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Stormers team v All Blacks in full
DHL Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel (captain), 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Yaqeen Ahmed, 9 Imad Khan, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Connor Evans, 4 Adré Smith, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Vernon Matongo
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotzé, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Ruan Ackermann, 20 Keke Morabe, 21 Wandile Mlaba, 22 Dewaldt Duvenage, 23 Wandisile Simelane
Date: Friday, 7 August 2026
Venue: DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 19:00 (local SAST), 18:00 (UK), 19:00 (France), 03:00 (8 August, AEST), 05:00 (8 August, New Zealand), 14:00 (Argentina), 02:00 (8 August, JST), 13:00 (EDT)
Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)
Assistant Referees: Matthew Carley (RFU) and Hollie Davidson (SRU)
TMO: Andrew Jackson (RFU)
FPRO: Mike Adamson (SRU)
