Stormers lean on old heads and No.8 history in Belfast
The Stormers' trip to Belfast has gained extra weight through both the playoff table and the selection story around their senior forwards. Deon Fourie is set to captain the side in Ruhan Nel's absence, bringing a huge amount of experience to a fixture that sits close to the sharp end of the United Rugby Championship race. Evan Roos also reaches a notable mark by drawing level with Duane Vermeulen for the most Stormers starts at No.8, which adds a nice historical layer to a very practical away assignment. Ulster have their own home-field incentive and a strong recent record in this matchup, so this is not just a selection footnote. It is a pressure match between teams with postseason positioning still alive, and the Stormers' balance of emergency cover, leadership, and bench impact could matter late.