Coach Robbie Fleck has made four changes to the Stormers’ starting lineup for Saturday’s all-important match against the Sharks at Newlands.
Fleck has left his forward pack unchanged, with fit-again hooker Scarra Ntubeni featuring in the only change among the forward replacements.
In the backline, wing Seabelo Senatla and centre Damian de Allende are rotated back into the side at the expense of Craig Barry and Dan Kriel. There is also a new halfback-axis which sees Josh Stander return at flyhalf and Jano Vermaak coming in at scrumhalf for the injured Herschel Jantjies.
Kriel and last week’s starting No 10, Jean-Luc du Plessis, both take up positions on the bench.
‘We have performed well at home this season and this is another opportunity for us to use that to our advantage,’ Fleck said ahead of the derby.
‘The key in a match like this will be to remain composed and accurate while operating at high intensity. It should be a great game to watch.’
Stormers –15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Josh Stander, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Jaco Coetzee, 7 Johan du Toit, 6 Ernst van Rhyn, 5 Chris van Zyl, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff (c).
Subs: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Corné Fourie, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 David Meihuizen, 20 Chris Massyn, 21 Justin Phillips, 22 Jean-Luc du Plessis 23 Dan Kriel.
Vodacom Super Rugby teams (Round 18)
Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
