Coach Robbie Fleck has made seven changes to the Stormers’ starting lineup to face the Reds in Brisbane on Friday.

A host of injuries up front has forced Fleck to shuffle his pack, where there are five changes. In an all-new front row, props Corné Fourie and Frans Malherbe earn starts alongside hooker Scarra Ntubeni.

Cobus Wiese comes into the second row alongside Chris van Zyl, while Kobus van Dyk, who joined the squad in Australia earlier in the week, is fast-tracked into the lineup at blindside flank.

There are two changes in the backline, with scrumhalf Justin Phillips making his first start of the season, and Ruhan Nel returning at outside centre.

‘We have had a good week of preparations here and the players are looking forward to the opportunity this weekend,’ Fleck said.

Stormers – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Justin Phillips, 8 Jaco Coetzee, 7 Kobus van Dyk, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Chris van Zyl, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Corne Fourie.
Subs: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Michael Kumbirai, 19 Salmaan Moerat, 20 Juarno Augustus, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Joshua Stander, 23 SP Marais.

Photo: Chris Ricco/BackpagePix