Du Plessis replaces crocked Coleman

Young flyhalf Jean-Luc du Plessis will make his Stormers starting debut against the Sunwolves on Friday night.

There are two changes to the backline that started in the Stormers' 13-8 victory over the Jaguares in Buenos Aires, with Du Plessis replacing the injured Kurt Coleman, while scrumhalf Louis Schreuder comes in for Nic Groom, who is also unavailable. Coleman ruptured knee ligaments in training on Tuesday and has been ruled out for the remainder of the season.

In the front row, a rotational switch sees props Oli Kebble and Vincent Koch come back into the starting lineup, with JC Janse van Rensburg and Frans Malherbe taking their place among the replacements.

Pieter-Steph du Toit returns at lock after being rested against the Jaguares, while JD Schickerling joins him in the second row following an injury to Eben Etzebeth during the week. Etzebeth is set to be out of action for four to six weeks as the result of a calf strain.

The final change sees Schalk Burger come back into the starting lineup at No 8, with Nizaam Carr set to feature as a replacement for the first time this season.

Meanwhile, Damian de Allende and Rynhardt Elstadt are both set to make their first appearances for the Stormers this season after being named on the bench.

Stormers – 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Juan de Jongh (c), 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Schalk Burger, 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 JD Schickerling, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Oli Kebble.
Subs: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 JC Janse van Rensburg, 18 Frans Malherbe (c), 19 Rynhardt Elstadt, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Godlen Masimla, 22 Huw Jones, 23 Damian de Allende.

Super Rugby teams (Round 7)

Photo: BackpagePix

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