Watch VideoDeon Fourie demands consistency as Stormers hunt big away URC win against Ulster in Belfast

Utility back Damian Willemse will shift from fullback to inside centre when the Stormers take on Ulster in Ireland on Friday evening. TheStormerswill look to build on their previous victory when they take on Ulster in theUnited Rugby Championship (URC)on Friday evening in Belfast. Heading into the clash, the Cape side knows avictory will keep them atop the URC tableheading into the final league matches next weekend.

However, a loss could prove detrimental, given the congested log among the top-four sides. But they won’t focus too much on their position.It’s all about keeping the momentum goingfollowing a strong win over the Glasgow Warriors, knowing that Ulster are also on a high as they fight for a URC knockout spot. Stand-in captain Deon Fourie said on Thursday that they want to follow up the Glasgow victory with a similar performance at the Affidea Stadium (8.45pm kick-off).

“We had a meeting this morning, and I told the guys to be a championship team, you can’t have a good game the one weekend and the following one you go off-plan,” Fourie said. “So, for us to progress and be in the running to win this trophy again, we need to build on what we did against Glasgow. And yeah, keeping things controlled was part of the blueprint.

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Hopefully, the guys can do the same this weekend with the plan going into tomorrow (Friday) night. “Last year, when we played here, we had a great start. So, we looked at that first half when we played here… They have some confidence, but so do we after the Glasgow game.

I think it’ll be a good battle. They have to win, looking at the knockouts, and we have to win to stay on top. So, it’s almost a must-win for both.” Director of rugby John Dobson made a couple of tweaks to the matchday squad from the last game.

The most significant is Damian Willemse shifting to inside centre, with Dan du Plessis moving to the No 13 jersey in place of injured captain Ruhan Nel. Nel is out with a calf strain, but should be back for next week’s Cardiff clash. With Willemse moving forward, playmaker Warrick Gelant returns at fullback for the duel.

Flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and young scrumhalf Imad Khan are expected to pull the strings in attack. Up front, tighthead Sazi Sandi and Fourie come into the starting line-up, while the bench features a six-two split with a plethora of loose forwards ready to make an impact in the second half. Replacement flyhalf Jurie Matthee and scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer are the only backs on the bench.

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