{
  "id": 12605449,
  "title": "Dobson picks star-studded Stormers side for URC derby against Sharks",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/dobson-picks-star-studded-stormers-side-for-urc-derby-against-sharks",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-07T10:34:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/rugby/dobson-picks-star-studded-stormers-side-urc-derby-sharks/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "John Dobson, the Stormers coach, has assembled an impressive starting lineup for the upcoming URC derby against the Sharks in Cape Town on Saturday. The team features eight Springboks in the starting XV and three more on the bench, including rising lock star Riley Norton and recent Lions recruit scrumhalf Haashim Pead. The Stormers will don their new black kit, a throwback to the iconic 1999 Men in Black campaign. With three changes to the backline from last week, Damian Willemse is now at fullback and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu joins Cobus Reinach at halfback. Pead and Wandisile Simelane make up the replacements on the bench. In the front row, Wilco Louw makes his first Stormers appearance since 2020, while Deon Fourie and Neethling Fouché provide additional support in the hooker position. Lock Adré Smith joins the starting lineup for the first time this season, replacing a player on the bench. Paul de Villiers returns to the loose trio, causing Siya Kolisi to switch to blindside flank. Evan Roos and Norton feature on a replacements bench that is expected to provide energy in the second half. Dobson expressed excitement about the team's depth, with talents ranging from Deon Fourie, who has 141 Stormers caps, to Haashim Pead, who makes his debut. The team's performance in their first home match of the season will be a testament to the players' efforts in preparation and their newly adopted black kit, honoring the legacy of the Men in Black campaign.",
  "summary": "The matchday squad includes 11 Springboks and a few big-name rising stars like Norton and Pead.",
  "key_points": [
    "John Dobson fields star-studded Stormers lineup for URC derby against Sharks",
    "Eight Springboks and three bench players in starting XV",
    "Rising lock Riley Norton and Lions recruit scrumhalf Haashim Pead debut"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "Ox Nche sees Sharks culture shift ahead of Stormers derby",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/ox-nche-sees-sharks-culture-shift-ahead-of-stormers-derby",
        "published": "2026-10-07T05:15:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}