Schalk Burger is back from a groin injury and will start at blindside flank for the Stormers in Saturday’s Super Rugby clash against the Crusaders in Christchurch.
Burger sat out of last week’s 19-18 victory over the Hurricanes at Newlands, but returns on Saturday in place of Siya Kolisi in the loose trio.
Stormers coach Allister Coetzee made a total of four changes to the starting team announced this morning. He has been forced to pick a new lock combination as both Rynhardt Elstadt (shoulder) and Manuel Carizza (wrist), who started against the Hurricanes, have been ruled out with injury.
Their absence sees Michael Rhodes come into the side in the second row, along with De Kock Steenkamp at No 5.
There is only one new face in the backline, with Nic Groom getting an opportunity to start ahead of Louis Schreuder at scrumhalf.
The Stormers also welcome back experienced flyhalf Peter Grant, who is back with the Cape side after his stint in Japan with Kobe Steelers. Grant will be introduced off the bench, along with new Samoan wing signing Sailosi Tagicakibau.
Youngster Ruan Botha is also a new addition to the replacements as the back-up lock.
Saturday’s match will start at 8.35am South African time.
* For in-depth analysis, read the print edition of the Cape Times tomorrow.
STORMERS TEAM
15 Jaco Taute, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Jean de Villiers (captain), 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Gio Aplon, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 De Kock Steenkamp, 4 Michael Rhodes, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff. Bench: 16 Tiaan Liebenberg, 17 Oliver Kebble, 18 Pat Cilliers, 19 Ruan Botha, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Peter Grant, 23 Sailosi Tagicakibau.