CAPE TOWN – Springbok lock Pieter-Steph du Toit has recovered from a knee niggle and will line up alongside Eben Etzebeth in the Stormers second row in Saturday’s Super Rugby showdown with the Lions at Newlands.
Johan du Toit, the younger brother of Pieter-Steph, is in line to make his Super Rugby debut for the Stormers if he comes off the replacements bench against the Lions (5.15pm kickoff).
With Cobus Wiese ruled out due to a shoulder injury, Nizaam Carr moves into the starting line-up, with Du Toit providing loose forward cover.
There are just two changes to the Stormers forward pack that started in the 34-26 victory against the Chiefs last week, with Pieter-Steph du Toit named at lock and Frans Malherbe rotating with Wilco Louw at tighthead prop.
The only change to the backline sees Jano Vermaak return to the team after being sidelined with concussion last week, with Godlen Masimla getting an opportunity to provide scrumhalf cover on the replacements bench.
Stormers coach Robbie Fleck said that his team face another serious test against the Lions, which makes for a mouth-watering Super Rugby derby.
“The support we got last week at Newlands was simply phenomenal, and we would love to see people turn out in their numbers to support us again,” he said.
“The players have worked hard again this week, and we know that we will have to be as sharp as ever if we are to maintain our winning momentum.”
Stormers Team
15 SP Marais, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 EW Viljoen, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Siya Kolisi (captain), 6 Nizaam Carr, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Bench:
16 Ramone Samuels, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Jan de Klerk, 20 Johan du Toit, 21 Godlen Masimla, 22 Kurt Coleman, 23 Dan Kriel.