Stormers vs Toulon Prediction: Stormers to strike against understrength Toulon

European Champions Cup action heads to South Africa on Saturday afternoon as the Stormers take on Toulon at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha (3.15pm, Premier Sports 1). 

Alex Jack provides his best bets for Stormers vs Toulon as well as all the important team news and match odds. 

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Team News 

It is set to be a big day for hooker Joseph Dweba and back-rower Willie Engelbrecht, who will both be making their 50th appearance for the Stormers this weekend. 

Dan du Plessis is injured, so his cousin Jean-Luc du Plessis will replace him in the centres, while prop Neethling Fouche will captain the side. 

Paul de Wet will partner Springboks star Manie Libbok in the half-backs, while Leolin Zas, Du Plessis, Ruhan Nel, Suleiman Hartzenberg and Warrick Gelant complete the backline. 

As for Toulon, French internationals Jean-Baptiste Gros, Charles Ollivon and Antoine Frisch are notable absentees but Gabin Villiere does return from duty with Les Bleus to start on the wing. 

The English pair of Kyle Sinckler and David Ribbans feature in the front-row and second-row respectively, while former Wales fly-half Dan Biggar starts outside Baptiste Serin, with Scotland scrum-half Ben White rested. 

Mathieu Smaili, Jeremy Sinzelle, Gael Drean, Villiere and Marius Domon complete the Toulon backline. 

Stormers vs Toulon Odds

The Stormers are favourites at 1/2 to win this one, while Toulon are 9/5 to leave South Africa with the victory. 

A draw is available at 22/1, while Toulon to come out on top with a +4 handicap is currently 1/1. 

Stormers -7 handicap @ 6/5

Missing a number of their big international names, this is not the strongest Toulon side that could have taken the field at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium this weekend. 

After the rigours of the Autumn Nations Series, the Toulon hierarchy have clearly thought it best to keep their powder dry and rest some of their big names for their long trip to the Eastern Cape. 

While it gives an opportunity to others, it does suggest the mentality that Toulon are going into this game with. 

The Stormers will be going all out to make a winning start to their Champions Cup campaign and they look capable of not only winning in Gqeberha, but also falling on the right side of the handicap in the process. 

While Libbok's kicking from the tee can sometimes be suspect, what he lacks shooting at the posts he makes up for with ball in hand. 

A dangerous runner and a clever fly-half, if Libbok starts getting into his flow on Saturday, the Stormers will be hard to stop. 

With their South Africa internationals back in their ranks and full of confidence after an impressive Autumn Nations Series, look to the Stormers to win this one relatively comfortably at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.