ALS IN v ULSTER

THERE will be some changes to the Stormers’ starting lineup for their final tour match against Ulster on Friday in Belfast.

Springbok tighthead prop Frans Malherbe will be sent home for some rest after an excellent scrummaging display against Scarlets at the weekend with Neethling Fouche flying to Ireland after the birth of his second child. Utility back Suleiman Hartzenberg, who recovered from a broken hand, could find himself part of the starting lineup, but utility forward Deon Fourie suffered a concussion and is unavailable for selection.

The Kaapse span’s United Rugby Championship playoff hunt is firmly on track after beating Scarlets 29-17 in Llanelli. They find themselves eighth on the standings with their fate in their hands.

After the bonus-point win in Wales, the inaugural URC champions want to back their performance up with a another win in Europe. It’s something they have been sukkelled to do since the inception of the competition.

Coach John Dobson says: “We’ll go full mettle jacket for Ulster.

“There will be some enforced changes with Deon out, we also want to get Suleiman back on the field. I just didn’t want three backs [Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Damian Willemse returned after injuries] who haven’t played for many months on the field simultaneously [against the Scarlets].

“If we can get God-willing a win or a couple of points up in Belfast, it really tees us up nicely for the four home games left. We also don’t want to give guys just caps, so we’ll select a full-strength team for Ulster. I feel sorry for someone like Jurie Matthee because we didn’t use him (against the Scarlets) off the bench.”

Dobson jokingly mentioned a Kudu plague in the Northern Cape that Malherbe will aim to eradicate upon his return to South Africa. But on a serious note, he added that the experienced tighthead will enjoy a break over the next few weeks before the home stretch in Cape Town.

The same fate will likely be for Fourie after his concussion following a collision in a tackle with captain Salmaan Moerat, who led the physical charge of the Stormers.