CAPE TOWN - Stormers coach Robbie Fleck has made two changes to his starting line-up for their Super Rugby clash with the Chiefs at Newlands on Saturday.
Dewaldt Duvenage will start at scrumhalf in the place of Jano Vermaak, who suffered a concussion against the Cheetahs, with Justin Phillips providing cover on the bench.
On his selection of Phillips on the bench, Fleck explained that Godlen Masimla was not available for the match due to a hamstring injury.
Up front, fit-again Wilco Louw will start at tighthead prop alongside hooker Bongi Mbonambi, who earns his 50th Super Rugby cap, while Frans Malherbe adds tighthead back-up on the replacements bench.
Fleck added that his players were looking forward to the ultimate "test" against the Chiefs, who thumped the Cape side 60-21 in their only, quarter-final meeting at Newlands last year.
“The players have all put in a lot of hard work and we cannot wait to test ourselves against the Chiefs this weekend,” Fleck said.
“There should be an incredible atmosphere at Newlands on Saturday, so we are very excited about what lies ahead.”
Teams for Newlands:
Stormers
: 15 SP Marais, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 EW Viljoen, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Siya Kolisi (captain), 6 Cobus Wiese, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Eben Etzebeth (vice-captain), 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Ramone Samuels, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Jan de Klerk, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Justin Phillips, 22 Kurt Coleman, 23 Dan Kriel
Chiefs:
15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Toni Pulu, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Stephen Donald, 11 James Lowe, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Michael Leitch, 7 Lachlan Boshier, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Dominic Bird, 3 Atu Moli, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Kane Hames
Replacements: 16 Brayden Mitchell, 17 Siegfried Fisi’ihoi, 18 Sosefo Kautai, 19 Taleni Seu, 20 Mitchell Brown, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Sam McNicol, 23 Shaun Stevenson