Taute boost for Stormers

PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - FEBRUARY 07: Jaco taute of the Stormers during the Super Rugby Warm Up match between Southern Kings and DHL Stormers at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on February 07, 2014 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. (Photo by Michael Sheehan/Gallo Images)

PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - FEBRUARY 07: Jaco taute of the Stormers during the Super Rugby Warm Up match between Southern Kings and DHL Stormers at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on February 07, 2014 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. (Photo by Michael Sheehan/Gallo Images)

Published Feb 25, 2014

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Johannesburg – Jaco Taute has been named at fullback for the Stormers' first home game of the Super Rugby season against the Hurricanes at Newlands on Friday.

Gio Aplon has shifted across to the wing, while Damian de Allende will move from the wing to partner skipper Jean de Villiers in the Stormers midfield.

Michael van der Spuy was dropped out of the match-day squad altogether.

Coach Allister Coetzee said the rest of the team was unchanged from the line-up that went down 34-10 to the Lions last Saturday, because consistency needed to be maintained in selection.

“I've learnt from this competition that you take nothing for granted, it is never easy. You have to take your opportunities,” Coetzee said in a statement.

“The Hurricanes have four All Blacks in the backline, that is where their strength is.

“We have to make sure we come up with a good performance. The Hurricanes, over the years, have never been scared to run the ball.

“That is their strength – as well as creating opportunities, with their ability to off-load Ä and will make it challenging for our defence.”

Stormers team: Jaco Taute, Kobus van Wyk, Jean de Villiers (captain), Damian de Allende, Gio Aplon, Demetri Catrakilis, Louis Schreuder, Duane Vermeulen, Schalk Burger, Siya Kolisi, Manuel Carizza, Rynhardt Elstadt, Frans Malherbe, Scarra Ntubeni, Steven Kitshoff.

Replacements: Deon Fourie, Oliver Kebble, Pat Cilliers, Michael Rhodes, Nizaam Carr, Nic Groom, Kurt Coleman, Ryno Eksteen.– Sapa

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