The Sale Sharks will be counting on a former DHL Stormers star to guide a youthful team in the Champions Cup match in Cape Town on Saturday night.
Former Stormers flyhalf Robert du Preez will start for Sale against the side that gave him his professional debut back in 2014.
However, another former Stormer, flank Ernst van Rhyn, will not take part in the match despite travelling with the squad to Cape Town. Also not involved are Du Preez’s younger brothers, Jean-Luc and Daniel, who have both been ruled out through injury.
Sale have opted to mix experience and youth in their lineup, with 19-year-old wing Alex Willis, an England U20 international, getting his first start in the Champions Cup alongside Tonga fullback Telusa Veainu.
Sale will be captained by England flank Ben Curry and will have another England international, Jonny Hill, in their second row.
Veteran Argentina hooker Agustin Creevy takes his place in the middle of the scrum, ahead of England’s Luke Cowan-Dickie, who will play from the bench.
Sale have named academy trio Nye Thomas, Tom Curtis and Rekeiti Ma’asi-White as their replacement backs.
Photo: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images for Sale Sharks