Stormers hand Yaqeen Ahmed starting role for historic All Blacks meeting

The Stormers will face New Zealand for the first time in the club’s history on Friday, with 20-year-old fly-half Yaqeen Ahmed named to make his debut for the Cape Town side at DHL Stadium.

Kick-off is scheduled for 19:00, with outside centre Ruhan Nel captaining the Stormers in the opening match of the visiting side’s tour. Ahmed will form the halfback partnership with scrum-half Imad Khan, while Jonathan Roche starts alongside Nel in midfield.

Warrick Gelant is selected at full-back, with Seabelo Senatla and Leolin Zas completing the back three. The Stormers will have experienced scrum-half Dewaldt Duvenage and utility back Wandisile Simelane among their replacements as they prepare to face the international side.

Andre-Hugo Venter starts at hooker, supported in the front row by props Vernon Matongo and Neethling Fouche. JJ Kotze, Ntuthuko Mchunu and Sazi Sandi provide front-row cover from the bench.

Adre Smith and Connor Evans will combine in the second row, while Ruan Ackermann is included among the replacements and is expected to contribute in the second half.

The Stormers’ loose trio is unchanged from the combination that started the 2022 URC Grand Final. Evan Roos, Hacjivah Dayimani and Deon Fourie were part of the team that secured the inaugural title at DHL Stadium.

Keke Morabe and Wandile Mlaba have been rewarded for their performances in the Carling Currie Cup with places on the replacements bench.

Director of Rugby John Dobson said the Stormers were ready to embrace the significance of the fixture, which gives a club team the opportunity to play an international side ranked second in the world.

“This is history in the making as the 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,” he said.

The Stormers starting XV is:

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 Adre Smith, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Vernon Matongo.

Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Ruan Ackermann, 20 Keke Morabe, 21 Wandile Mlaba, 22 Dewaldt Duvenage, 23 Wandisile Simelane.