Coach John Dobson has recalled a Springbok into the Stormers’ starting lineup that boasts numerous injury-enforced changes for Saturday’s game against the Bulls in Cape Town.
Bok hooker Bongi Mbonambi gets a start in a rejigged tight five that features David Meihuizen at lock in place of JD Schickerling with that latter having suffered an ankle injury during last week’s 33-30 loss against the Sharks.
Flank Nama Xaba also picked up an ankle injury at training this week and has been replaced by Marcel Theunissen on the open side, while Evan Roos cracks the nod at No 8, bumping Willie Engelbrecht to the bench.
Scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies has not recovered from a quad contusion, so Godlen Masimla will link up at halfback with Abner van Reenen, who is in for Kade Wolhuter after the young flyhalf ruptured knee ligaments last week.
Dan du Plessis starts at outside centre where Ruhan Nel left a void after joining the Springbok Sevens team. And Leolin Zas and Sergeal Petersen start on the wings, a change forced by Seabelo Senatla’s suspension.
Dobson said that despite the forced changes, there is a lot to look forward to from a talented side this weekend.
‘Many of the players coming in impressed in the preparation matches and will relish the opportunity to prove themselves in a big game such as this.
‘We are excited to see what the new combinations can offer alongside the senior players who make up the core of this team,’ he said.
Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Dan du Plessis, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Abner van Reenen, 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Marcel Theunissen, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 David Meihuizen, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff (c).
Subs – from: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Ernst van Rhyn, 20 Willie Engelbrecht, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Cornel Smit, 23 Edwill van der Merwe, 24 Andre-Hugo Venter, 25 Adre Smith.
Photo: Gallo Images
