CAPE TOWN – Lock Chris van Zyl will captain the Stormers against the Sunwolves in Hong Kong on Saturday (kick-off 7.15 AM), while regular skipper Siya Kolisi will feature off the bench as his workload is being managed.
The change sees Cobus Wiese come into the starting line-up at flank, along with Nizaam Carr at No 8 and loosehead prop JC Janse van Rensburg, who replaces the injured Steven Kitshoff, at loosehead prop.
Prop Carlu Sadie, lock Jan de Klerk and loose forward Sikhumbuzo Notshe will provide cover on the bench.
In the backline, Jean-Luc du Plessis will make his first start of the season at flyhalf and Seabelo Senatla will get a start on the wing, while EW Viljoen comes back into the mix on the bench.
Stormers Head Coach Robbie Fleck said that his team are looking forward to what will be the first-ever Super Rugby game to be played in Hong Kong.
“It is great to play in Hong Kong and break new ground, but we are here to do a job and the team is focused on the task at hand.”
“Our preparations have gone well here and the players are determined to put together a convincing performance.”
The Stormers team to play the Sunwolves is:
15 SP Marais, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Cobus Wiese, 6 Kobus van Dyk, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Chris van Zyl (captain), 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Ramone Samuels, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Carlu Sadie, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Jan de Klerk, 20 Siya Kolisi, 21 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 EW Viljoen.