Eben Etzebeth has been named on the Stormers’ bench for Saturday’s clash against the Lions at Newlands.
Etzebeth missed the Stormers’ opening game against the Vodacom Bulls due to injury, but have recovered in time to at least be named in the match 23 this week.
Among the backs, Jean-Luc du Plessis will start at flyhalf, with Damian Willemse shifting to fullback in the place of the injured Dillyn Leyds, while wing Sergeal Petersen will make his Stormers debut.
The only change to the forward pack is in the second row, with Chris van Zyl at lock in place of the injured Salmaan Moerat.
Stormers coach Robbie Fleck said that his team is looking forward to playing their first home game.
‘We will be giving it everything we have got on Saturday. We are determined to raise our standards and deliver the type of rugby that we can be proud of.’
Stormers – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 SP Marais, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Chris van Zyl, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ali Vermaak.
Subs: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Jaco Coetzee, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Joshua Stander, 23 Dan du Plessis.
Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
