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Stormers captain Ruhan Nel will lead the team in a friendly match against the All Blacks. The franchise, which is preparing to make history against the All Blacks at the DHL stadium on Friday evening, will feature a combination of experience and young talent.

This match marks the first meeting between the Stormers and the world's second-ranked international team, opening the visiting side's campaign in South Africa. Nevertheless, there is some history between the touring New Zealand team and the Cape-based team, as people recall the Western Province team's unexpected victory over the All Blacks 50 years ago at Newlands Stadium.

Nel occupies a central midfield position next to Jonathan Ross, forming an exciting new midfield combination, where 20-year-old wing-half Yakin Ahmed debuts in the Stormers starting lineup alongside scrum-half Imad Khan.

In attack, Springbok fullback Warrick Gelant coordinates a powerful trio of defenders, accompanied by wingers Seabelo Senatla and Leon Zass. Experienced halfback Dewald Duvenage and versatile back Vandisile Simelane provide support from the bench.

In the forward pack, Springbok hooker Andre-Hugo Winter is positioned next to props Vernon Matongo and Nitling Fosher, with Adre Smith and Connor Evans making up the second row. It is worth noting that head coach John Dobson has brought back the backline trio—Evan Roos, Hajiva Daimani, and veteran Dion Fourie—the very combination that led the Stormers to victory in the 2022 United Rugby Championship final against the Bulls at the same venue.

John Dobson stated: 'This is history being made as the Stormers play against New Zealand for the first time, and our team is determined to make it unforgettable for our fans.' He added: 'For the club to play against a world second-ranked international team is a huge opportunity that every player and member of the management looks forward to.'

The historic clash on Friday at the DHL Stadium will begin at 19:00. The Stormers squad for the confrontation against the All Blacks includes: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel (captain), 12 Jonathan Ross, 11 Leon Zass, 10 Yakin Ahmed, 9 Imad Khan, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hajiva Daimani, 6 Dion Fourie, 5 Connor Evans, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Nitling Fosher, 2 Andre-Hugo Winter, 1 Vernon Matongo. Reserves: 16 J.J. Kotze, 17 Ntutuko Mchunu, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Ruan Ackermann, 20 Keke Morabe, 21 Vandisile Mlaba, 22 Dewald Duvenage, 23 Vandisile Simelane.

Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus refuted suggestions that Argentina is an unsportsmanlike team, despite the scandal that surrounded the Los Pumas after their defeat to England in the Rugby World Cup.

Los Pumas faced heavy criticism following the match, which ended 34:21 in July. This tense match resulted in seven yellow cards, an accusation of improper conduct by World Rugby against winger Tomás Albornoz for physical contact with referee Angus Gardner, and the sudden departure of head coach Felipe Contepomi from the post-match press conference because he perceived it as disrespect from England.

Before the upcoming match in Buenos Aires against the Springboks, Los Pumas legend Federico Mendes urged the current generation to 'behave and control themselves.'

However, Erasmus emphasized that South Africa anticipates a very intense confrontation, not one plagued by disciplinary issues. He noted that the team knows Argentina well, as they play each other twice a year, apart from the current year.

'We know Argentina well. We play them twice a year, except this year, so we know their players, and they know us,' Erasmus stated on Tuesday. He added that some Springboks players have played with Argentinians in French or Japanese clubs, which allowed them to build good relationships with those players.

Regarding the officiating incident in the previous game, Erasmus said it was not up for comment, as referee Christoph Ridley would be working in the upcoming match. He acknowledged that new protocols make communication with the referee before the game difficult but stressed that he has never encountered Argentina being a negative or overly aggressive team. He concluded that while they are tough and physically strong players, he has never considered them unsportsmanlike.

The match against England was marred by numerous controversial moments: seven yellow cards between the teams and several scuffles on the field. Following this, Albornoz was sanctioned by World Rugby after clashing with Gardner when a late try that could have equalized the score was disallowed.

Contepomi also cut short his media conference just four minutes after the match, accusing England of 'disrespect' due to loud celebrations and music coming from the adjacent dressing room. Similar to Erasmus, Contepomi used this game to expand the squad, releasing ten new players, most of whom are young, in preparation for next year's World Cup.

Erasmus is also balancing the need to win with the opportunity to integrate players returning from injury, as well as giving chances to less experienced team members. He stated: 'Primarily, we want to win. If we win, the margin of victory is not that important. We have many key players returning from injuries, as well as some who are not yet settled in the team, such as Cameron Hanekom, Elryeg Lou, and Boan Winter, players with few matches.' He added that this means the game will not be perfect, but if they improve, develop in the game, and synchronize, the game will be in their favor, provided the playing time is set for the players returning from injury.

Four deputies, three of whom represent the United Left party, have put forward an unofficial proposal to the Spanish government. They strongly urge Spain to officially notify FIFA, the Spanish Football Federation, and the Portuguese government about the need to revise the model for the joint organization of the tournament. This model also includes the participation of Portugal and three matches in South America.

In its initiative, Sumar asserts that an event of this magnitude requires significant mobilization of state resources and commitments from states. Consequently, the host countries must demonstrate 'effective and constant respect for human rights, international law, and democratic principles.'

The group of parliamentarians insists on conducting an independent study of human rights risks in the organizing countries. The results of this study must be presented to Congress within six months, accompanied by proposals for measures in case serious violations are confirmed.

Furthermore, they demand that FIFA change its regulations to allow for the withdrawal of a host country's status in the event of serious violations of fundamental human rights and democratic principles. They also call on the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to activate mechanisms provided by FIFA to monitor compliance with its own statutes.

The motion also requires clarification of events that occurred in Ceuta, including the identification of the dead and missing, establishing responsibility, and implementing rescue and protection systems for minors. The deputies formally ask the Spanish government to assess the 'impact of the events that took place on the border of Ceuta on human rights obligations related to the tournament.'

This assessment must be accompanied by additional proposals for measures if a 'serious' violation of international obligations and human rights is proven by any of the host nations.

This legislative initiative in Spain aligns with the position of the Portuguese environmental party Livre. Livre sent a letter to the Prime Minister and the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, advocating for the exclusion of Morocco from the joint organization of the competition. Livre justifies its position by stating that events on the Spanish border and the ongoing disregard for international law in Western Sahara make political, safe, and cooperative conditions impossible for maintaining the tripartite partnership.

Livre believes that Portugal and Spain are capable of hosting the tournament independently, without jeopardizing their international image or foreign policy regarding human rights. The 2030 World Cup will be organized by Portugal, Spain, and Morocco from June 8 to July 21, and will include three friendly matches in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay, marking the centenary of the first tournament held in Montevideo in 1930.