De Jongh to captain Stormers

Cape Town – Coach Allister Coetzee named the DHL Stormers line-up for Saturday’s Vodacom Super Rugby qualifier against the Brumbies at Newlands (kick-off 17h05), with Juan de Jongh assuming the leadership reins in the injury-enforced absence of squad captain Duane Vermeulen.

Outside centre De Jongh returns to the starting XV and is one of many changes to the side that played in Durban last Saturday.

De Jongh will join up with Damian de Allende in the centres, with Nic Groom and Demetri Catrakilis partnering at halfback and the back three of Cheslin Kolbe, Dillyn Leyds and Seabelo Senatla reunited once more.

Up front, Nizaam Carr, the only starting survivor from Durban, will pack down at No 8 in a powerful and consistent forward pack, with hooker Scarra Ntubeni (calf muscle) passed fit to join the bench.

Ntubeni, props Ali Vermaak and Vincent Koch, lock Jean Kleyn and loose forward Michael Rhodes will serve as the forwards replacements, with Louis Schreuder, Kurt Coleman and Jaco Taute the backline replacements.

“Knockout matches are different to league matches,” Allister Coetzee told the media at Thursday’s team announcement briefing. “You only get one shot at it, you have to be on your game and you have to ensure you dominate physically from the outset. To ask players to be physical in the quarters is to express an understatement.

“The Brumbies are a tough team, a physical team, and will rely on their well-drilled consistent set-piece. We know they have got line speed and we know they attack the breakdown. We are certainly bracing ourselves for a physical battle.”

The DHL Stormers team to face the Brumbies (home) is as follows:

15. Cheslin Kolbe

14. Dillyn Leyds

13. Juan de Jongh (captain)

12. Damian de Allende

11. Seabelo Senatla

10. Demetri Catrakilis

9. Nic Groom

8. Nizaam Carr

7. Siya Kolisi

6. Schalk Burger (vice-captain)

5. Manuel Carizza