The huge news for the Lions is that Alun Wyn Jones is back on tour and on the bench for this one. He will make an appearance today, likely replacing his replacement on tour, Adam Beard, who forms and enormous starting pairing in the boilerhouse with Jonny Hill.
Elsewhere it’s been quite the month for Marcus Smith: Premiership winner, try-scoring debut for England followed by same-day Lions call up and now Lions starter. The stuff of dreams, and his partnership with Ali Price has much potential snazz, pizazz and jizz-jazz.
The Stormers are a callow but talented outfit. Johan du Toit, brother of Pieter-Steph is in the backrow alongside Nama Xaba, a promising fetcher with a bright future. Former Premiership players Tim Swiel and Juan de Jongh are also in the squad.
Speaking of squads, the Stormers appear to have named every male adult in Cape Town on their curiously plentiful bench.
DHL Stormers: Sergeal Petersen; Seabelo Senatla, Rikus Pretorius, Dan du Plessis, Edwill van der Merwe; Tim Swiel, Godlen Masimla; Leon Lyons, JJ Kotze, Neethling Fouche, Ernst van Rhyn (capt), JD Schickerling, Nama Xaba, Johan du Toit, Evan Roos.
Replacements (from): 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Kwenzo Blose, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Justin Basson, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Thomas Bursey, 22 Abner van Reenen, 23 Juan de Jongh, 24 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 25 Niel Otto, 26 Leolin Zas, 27 Cornel Smit.
Lions: Stuart Hogg (capt); Josh Adams, Elliot Daly, Robbie Henshaw, Duhan van der Merwe; Marcus Smith, Ali Price; Rory Sutherland, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tadhg Furlong, Adam Beard, Jonny Hill, Tadhg Beirne, Hamish Watson, Jack Conan.
Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Zander Fagerson, 19 Alun Wyn Jones, 20 Sam Simmonds, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Chris Harris, 23 Louis Rees-Zammit.
