Pieter-Steph du Toit will start in the second row for the DHL Stormers, while his younger brother Johan is also in line to make his Super Rugby debut against the Lions on Saturday.
In one of three changes to the pack, Du Toit, who was a late withdrawal from the Stormers lineup last week against the Chiefs, returns from injury, with Chris van Zyl dropping to the bench.
Nizaam Carr also moves into the starting XV in place of flank Cobus Wiese, who is nursing a shoulder injury. Johan du Toit comes onto the bench to provide loose forward cover and will make his debut if he is used. In the front row, a rotational swap sees Frans Malherbe start ahead of Wilco Louw at tighthead prop.
In the backline, Jano Vermaak returns to the team after being sidelined with concussion last week. Godlen Masimla will provide scrumhalf cover off the bench, with Dewaldt Duvenage dropping out of the match 23 altogether.
‘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,’ said coach Robbie Fleck. ‘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 – 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 (c), 6 Nizaam Carr, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Subs: 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.
Photo: Shaun Roy/Gallo Images
