Stormers vs Scarlets: Preview and Predictions 

The DHL Stormers return to United Rugby Championship (URC) action on Saturday, 24 October 2026, when they host Scarlets at DHL Stadium in Cape Town. With two wins from their opening three league matches and an impressive European victory behind them, the Cape side will be looking to maintain their momentum in Round 4. 

Scarlets arrive in South Africa with renewed confidence after successive victories over Benetton and Newcastle Red Bulls in their recent outings. But the Welsh side face a difficult challenge against a Stormers team that has won all five previous URC meetings between the sides. Can the visitors upset the odds, or will the home team continue its unbeaten record against the Welsh region?  

Why This Match Matters So Much 

The Stormers have made a solid start to their 2026/27 URC campaign. They opened with a 29-15 bonus-point victory away to Connacht before suffering a narrow 17-13 defeat to Edinburgh. John Dobson’s side responded in Round 3 with a 39-22 home win over the Hollywoodbets Sharks, earning another bonus point and moving to 11 points from their first three matches. 

They carried that form into the Investec Champions Cup, beating Bristol Bears 49-12 at DHL Stadium. Although the Stormers have made several changes for the Scarlets fixture, their recent performances underline the attacking threat they can pose at home.  

Scarlets, meanwhile, have had a more uneven start to their league campaign. They lost 21-15 to Cardiff and 38-26 to the Dragons before edging Benetton 27-26 to register their first URC victory of the season. Their subsequent 47-14 Challenge Cup win over Newcastle Red Bulls provided another encouraging result ahead of the trip to Cape Town. 

The Welsh side currently have seven points from their opening three URC fixtures, leaving them with ground to make up. A positive result in South Africa would be a significant boost, particularly with another away assignment against the Vodacom Bulls coming up the following weekend. 

History is also on the Stormers’ side. They have won all five previous URC meetings with Scarlets, including a 34-0 victory in Llanelli in October 2025. The visitors will need to produce a disciplined, high-intensity performance to end that run. 

Tactical Overview  

Can the Stormers dominate possession and territory? 

The Stormers have the personnel to attack from several areas of the pitch. Flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu offers a strong kicking and passing game, while the speed of Seabelo Senatla and Leolin Zas gives the home side options out wide. Warrick Gelant’s return at fullback adds another attacking playmaker who can link with the backline or exploit space from counterattacks. 

The key will be turning that attacking potential into consistent pressure. Against a Scarlets side that has shown it can score freely, the Stormers will want to control territory and avoid giving away easy exits through handling errors or penalties. 

The forward battle will also be important. An all-Springbok starting front row of Ntuthuko Mchunu, André-Hugo Venter, and Zachary Porthen gives the home side a strong platform at scrum time. If the Stormers can generate quick ball and win the breakdown contest, Feinberg-Mngomezulu should have opportunities to move Scarlets’ defence around before releasing the outside backs. 

Can Scarlets disrupt the home side’s rhythm? 

Scarlets will need to be accurate in defence and disciplined at the breakdown. Their recent 27-26 win over Benetton demonstrated that they can compete in close matches, while the 47-14 victory over Newcastle showed their attacking potential. 

The visitors have selected an inexperienced halfback combination, with 18-year-old Carwyn Leggatt-Jones at flyhalf alongside Dane Blacker at scrumhalf. Their ability to manage territory, communicate effectively and make good decisions under pressure will be crucial against a Stormers side that can punish mistakes. 

Scarlets could look to use a mixture of tactical kicking, direct carries and quick ball to prevent the Stormers from settling into an attacking rhythm. They will also need to contest the breakdown aggressively without conceding penalties in dangerous positions. 

The visitors have attacking threats in Macs Page and Joe Roberts, while experienced centre Joe Hawkins can help organise the midfield. If Scarlets can keep the score close into the second half, they may have an opportunity to challenge the home side. However, sustained defensive pressure could expose their less experienced combinations. 

Players to Watch  

Paul de Villiers (Stormers)  

De Villiers will captain the Stormers and anchor a reshuffled loose trio. His work rate, breakdown involvement, and defensive organisation will be important in a match where Scarlets are likely to look for quick ball. 

Carwyn Jones (Scarlets)  

The 18-year-old flyhalf earns his first URC appearance of the campaign after impressing in training. It is a significant opportunity against one of the competition’s strongest sides. Jones will need to remain composed when making decisions under pressure. 

Starting Lineup (Stormers)  

1. Ntuthuko Mchunu 

2. Andre-Hugo Venter 

3. Zachary Porthen 

4. Riley Norton 

5. Connor Evans 

6. Paul de Villiers (C) 

7. Evan Roos 

8. Hacjivah Dayimani 

9. Haashim Pead 

10. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu 

11. Leolin Zas 

12. Markus Muller 

13. Wandisile Simelane 

14. Seabelo Senatla 

15. Warrick Gelant 

Replacements  

16. Lukhanyo Vokozela 

17. Oliver eid 

18. Neethling Fouche 

19. Adre Smith 

20. JD Schickerling 

21. Deon Fourie 

22. Cobus Reinach 

23. Yaqeen Ahmed 

Starting Lineup (Scarlets)  

1. Kemsley Mathias 

2. John McKee 

3. Harri O’Connor 

4. Alexander Robert Mark Groves 

5. Sam Lousi 

6. Taine Plumtree 

7. Joshua Macleod 

8. Fletcher Anderson 

9. Dane Blacker 

10. Carwyn Jones 

11. Macs Page 

12. Joe Hawkins 

13. Joe Roberts 

14. Ioan jones 

15. Ioan Nicholas 

Replacements  

16. George Roberts 

17. Sam O’Connor 

18. Gabe Hawley 

19. Harvey Cuckson 

20. Dan Davis 

21. Archie Hughes 

22. Gareth Anscombe  

23. Isaac Murry-MacGregor 

Match Details 

Date: 24 October 2026  

Venue: DHL Stadium, Cape Town 

Kick-off Time: 16:00pm  

TV: SuperSport  

Prediction   

The Stormers head into this URC Round 4 fixture as favourites, thanks to home advantage, a stronger recent league record, and their unbeaten history against Scarlets. Their 39-22 win over the Sharks and 49-12 victory over Bristol also suggest that they can create plenty of scoring opportunities at DHL Stadium. 

Scarlets should not be underestimated. They have won their last two matches across the URC and Challenge Cup, and Page, Roberts, and Hawkins offer attacking quality. However, their relatively inexperienced halfback pairing could find it difficult to manage the pressure generated by the Stormers’ defence and kicking game. 

The Stormers have rotated their squad, so the home side may take time to establish their combinations. Even so, the experience available across the starting XV and replacements should give them enough depth to take control as the match progresses. 

Prediction: Stormers to win 

Who do you think will win Round 4 of the United Rugby Championship? Bet on rugby now with bet.co.za.