Jean to hit Super century

Jean de Villiers will play his 100th Vodacom Super Rugby game for the Stormers when they face the Chiefs this Friday.

De Villiers will become only the second Stormers player to reach the milestone (Andries Bekker was the first, reaching 100 caps in 2013). The Springbok captain is also expected to reach the three-figure mark in Tests when he represents the national side later this year.

In Stormers team news, Tiaan Liebenberg replaces the injured Scarra Ntubeni, who has already returned to Cape Town with a calf injury. Deon Fourie, who can also play hooker, is retained at openside flank.

Other forced changes to the side see the uncapped lock Ruan Botha replacing the injured Michael Rhodes, and prop Brok Harris replacing Frans Malherbe. The latter has been included in the matchday squad but will face a late fitness test. If he fails to recover from his toe injury, he will be replaced by Boland tighthead Martin Dreyer on the bench.

Siya Kolisi will make his return from a shoulder injury via the bench, and Stephan Coetzee has been included among the reserves for the first time.

Stormers – 15 Jaco Taute, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Jean de Villiers (c), 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 Ruan Botha, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Subs: 16 Stephan Coetzee, 17 Oliver Kebble, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Siya Kolisi, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Peter Grant, 23 Saliosi Tagicakibau.

Photo: Luke Waller/ Gallo Images

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