Schoeman returns for home opener

1 Oct 2026

British & Irish Lion Pierre Schoeman makes his first appearance of the season in Edinburgh’s home opener against DHL Stormers tomorrow night at Hive Stadium (Friday 2 October, kick-off 7.45pm) – live on Premier Sports.

The Scotland loosehead and club centurion is one of two changes to the starting XV for the visit of the Cape Town side, with 20-year-old tighthead Ollie Blyth-Lafferty also set for his first minutes of the season.

Head Coach Sean Everitt has opted for consistency following last Friday’s victory over Ulster in Belfast, as Edinburgh continue to put their faith in youth: 14 of the matchday 23 having come through the academy or still part of it, and 11 aged 22 or under.

The visitors arrive in Edinburgh in form too, having claimed an impressive 15-29 bonus-point win away to Connacht in Round 1.

On the match, Everitt said: “We’re incredibly excited to be back playing in front of our fans; it has felt like a long time since we’ve had competitive rugby at our home, and as a squad and staff we can’t wait to get out there tomorrow night.

“We know Stormers bring a different challenge, with physicality and directness from their forwards and a strong kicking game in their backs, but it’s a challenge we’re going to meet head on.”

Schoeman and Blyth-Lafferty join hooker Harri Morris in the front row, with the unchanged lock pairing of Callum Hunter-Hill and Glen Young completing the tight five.

Co-captain Magnus Bradbury leads the side from number eight, with Liam McConnell and Freddy Douglas at blindside and openside flanker respectively.

In the backs, James Grayson is handed his home debut at stand-off, with Hector Patterson his half-back partner at scrum-half.

Outside centre Matt Currie co-captains Edinburgh at home for the first time, and links up with Kienan Higgins in midfield for a second consecutive week.

The back three is also unchanged, with Piers O’Conor at full-back and Geordie Gwynn and Malelili Satala on the wings.

Read a full squad update HERE to get injury news ahead of DHL Stormers.

Edinburgh Rugby team to face DHL Stormers at Hive Stadium in the BKT United Rugby Championship
Friday 2 October (kick-off 7.45pm) – live on Premier Sports

15. Piers O’Conor (22)

14. Malelili Satala (10)
13. Matt Currie (73) CO-CAPTAIN
12. Kienan Higgins (1)
11. Geordie Gwynn (1)

10. James Grayson (1)
9. Hector Patterson (5)

1. Pierre Schoeman (151)
2. Harri Morris (18)
3. Ollie Blyth-Lafferty (15)
4. Callum Hunter-Hill (37)
5. Glen Young (71)
6. Liam McConnell (24)
7. Freddy Douglas (26)
8. Magnus Bradbury (152) CO-CAPTAIN

Replacements

16. Jerry Blyth-Lafferty (7)
17. Alec Hepburn (1)
18. Paul Hill (36)
19. Euan McVie (4)
20. Tom Currie (9)
21. Conor McAlpine (5)
22. Cammy Scott (33)
23. Rory McHaffie (1)