{
  "id": 12607219,
  "title": "Stormers call up big guns for blockbuster SA URC derby against the Sharks",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/stormers-call-up-big-guns-for-blockbuster-sa-urc-derby-against-the",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-07T10:49:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/sport/rugby/urc/2026-10-07-stormers-call-up-big-guns-for-blockbuster-sa-urc-derby-against-the-sharks/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Stormers will field a star-studded lineup for Saturday's United Rugby Championship clash against the Sharks at DHL Stadium, naming a match-day 23 with 11 Springboks. Seven World Cup winners and international stars will make their first Stormers appearances of the season as Director of Rugby John Dobson unleashes maximum firepower. Damian Willemse returns at fullback, while Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu pairs with Cobus Reinach in a new halfback combination. Wilco Louw starts at tighthead prop, alongside Ntuthuko Mchunu and André-Hugo Venter. Springbok captain Siya Kolisi moves to blindside flank, with Paul de Villiers returning to the open side. Adré Smith comes in for his first start, bolstered by veteran hooker Deon Fourie, props Neethling Fouché and Vernon Matongo. Loose forward Evan Roos and young scrumhalf Haashim Pead are set to make their debuts. Dobson expressed excitement about welcoming back his international contingent, expecting heightened intensity ahead of their first home fixture at DHL Stadium after a 17-13 defeat to Edinburgh. The team will wear a new black kit, honoring the 1999 Men in Black era, and the match promises an intense spectacle at DHL Stadium on Saturday.",
  "summary": "Running out in their iconic black throwback kit, the Stormers have recalled seven returning Springbok stars to take on the Sharks, with Wilco Louw making his first start since 2020.",
  "key_points": [
    "Stormers field 11 Springboks for URC derby",
    "Damian Willemse returns at fullback",
    "New halfback combo: Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Feinberg-Mngomezulu"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "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"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Citizen",
        "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",
        "published": "2026-10-07T10:34:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}