Latest news with #BenLoader
The South African
6 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
URC quarter-final: Stormers v Glasgow Warriors
The Stormers will have unfinished business in their URC quarter-final clash against the Glasgow Warriors after suffering a defeat against them in the league stages – their third straight loss against the Scottish team after the men from Cape Town last managed to win this encounter in 2022. The fact that the Capetonians have won their last four URC games in a row, though, will charge them up even more and bolster their confidence, while Glasgow, in turn, have lost their last three matches, and will certainly look to bounce back. Glasgow will draw inspiration from the fact that they won seven out of nine of their home matches this season, but the Stormers will draw comfort from the fact that three of those victories were by three points or fewer. Adding to the excitement, Glasgow have only won one more match than the Stormers this season, but the South Africans boast a better attacking record, with 39 more points scored than the opposition in their 18 pool matches, although Glasgow have the second-best defensive record in the tournament, with 17 fewer tries conceded. However, history has proven that anything can happen in playoff matches and that the team that make the most of their opportunities will in all likelihood, emerge victorious. Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Ben Loader, 13 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Marcel Theunissen, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Salmaan Moerat (captain), 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Ali Vermaak. Replacements: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 JD Schickerling, 20 Connor Evans, 21 Louw Nel, 22 Herschel Jantjies, 23 Manie Libbok. Glasgow Warriors: 15 Josh McKay, 14 Kyle Rowe, 13 Stafford McDowall, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Kyle Steyn (captain), 10 Tom Jordan, 9 George Horne, 8 Henco Venter, 7 Rory Darge, 6 Euan Ferrie, 5 Scott Cummings, 4 Alex Samuel, 3 Murphy Walker, 2 Gregor Hiddleston, 1 Jamie Bhatti. Replacements: 16 Johnny Matthews, 17 Nathan McBeth, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Max Williamson, 20 Jack Mann, 21 Macenzzie Duncan, 22 Jamie Dobie, 23 Adam Hastings. Date: Friday, 30 MayVenue: Scotstoun Stadium, GlasgowSA Time: 20h35Referee: Andrew Brace TV: SuperSport
The South African
29-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Stormers pick Sacha ahead of Libbok for crunch playoff
The DHL Stormers take on Glasgow Warriors in a Vodacom United Rugby Championship quarter-final at Scotstoun on Friday. Having finished the regular season in fifth position, the Stormers face the defending champions in Glasgow, with kick-off at 20h35 SA time on Friday night. Warrick Gelant will link up with speedsters Seabelo Senatla and Ben Loader in a potent back three, while Suleiman Hartzenberg will form a midfield partnership with Dan du Plessis in the absence of the suspended Damian Willemse. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Stefan Ungerer will continue as the halfback pairing with the experienced Herschel Jantjies and Manie Libbok set to make an impact for the Stormers in the second half from the replacements bench. Evan Roos resumes his place at the back of the scrum, with Marcel Theunissen and Paul de Villiers on the flanks and Louw Nel among the replacements. Stormers skipper Salmaan Moerat starts alongside Ruben van Heerden in the second row, with locks JD Schickerling and Connor Evans among the six forwards set to feature after half-time. Andre-Hugo Venter starts at hooker, with props Ali Vermaak and Neethling Fouche either side of him, with Vernon Matongo, Joseph Dweba and Sazi Sandi the front row forwards on the Stormers' replacements bench. Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson said that following a good week in Glasgow his team is ready to give it a full go at Scotstoun. 'The build-up to this game has gone well and we know that it will take a huge effort to beat a good Glasgow team on their home track. 'We have built up some good momentum recently and want to take that into this game. This was a very tough team to pick with some deserving players missing out, but we are excited to see what these combinations can do,' he said. Stormers – 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Ben Loader, 13 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Marcel Theunissen, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Salmaan Moerat (captain), 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Ali Vermaak. Subs: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 JD Schickerling, 20 Connor Evans, 21 Louw Nel, 22 Herschel Jantjies, 23 Manie Libbok. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
BBC News
26-02-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Gloucester to sign ex-London Irish back Loader
Gloucester have agreed to sign former London Irish back Ben Loader this 26-year-old, who can play at wing or full-back, will move from South African side Stormers in time for the start of next season. Loader moved to the United Rugby Championship club after Irish folded in the summer of 2023 and has made 21 appearances for the Cape Town-based side. The former England youth player played 75 times for London Irish over six years, having come up through the club's academy. "Ben was another player at Irish that was thriving there when they ran into their difficulties," Gloucester director of rugby George Skivington told the club website."He's moved away to a new country and team and used it as an experience to learn and grow and that's been impressive."He's everything you want from a back three player, fast, powerful, agile and his ability to play wing and full-back will be really handy throughout a long season."Gloucester have not disclosed the length of deal Loader has signed at Kingsholm.
